This is a new space with guidance, teaching materials and pupil booklets aimed at increasing challenge for all pupils, regardless of their starting points.

The project contrasts with Ofsted’s 2015 report ‘The wasted years?’ Underpinned by the findings from the University of Sussex ‘Faster read’ project, together with research from Professor D T Willingham and others, we believe that it’s possible to reframe Key Stage 3 as the ‘intellectual powerhouse’ of the secondary school.

To make this a reality we are developing an online ‘directory’ of texts and resources to support humanities, starting with year 7. The units are mapped against the National Curriculum programmes of study and have been prepared by some of the best teachers and thinkers in curriculum design.