10 proven practical strategies that support learner progress

It’s not just about covering content or moving through a scheme of work. True progress happens when every learner is engaged, challenged, supported and able to reflect on their learning journey.

Read on for ten strategies that research tells us support learner progress, and what that can look like in the Primary and Lower Secondary classroom.

1. Engage every learner

Progress starts with participation.

Simple techniques like targeted questioning, think-pair-share, and whole-class discussion ensure every student is involved – not just the most confident.

What this looks like in practice:

• Use mini whiteboards so all students respond at the same time
• Cold call strategically to include quieter learners
• Build in “turn and talk” moments before taking answers

2. Differentiate with purpose

No two learners are the same – but all learners should be challenged.

Effective differentiation ensures all students can access the learning while working towards the same core understanding.

What this looks like in practice:

• Provide scaffolded support (e.g. sentence starters, worked examples, word banks) for those who need it
• Offer extension questions that deepen thinking rather than just adding more work
• Use targeted questioning to stretch or support individual learners in real time
• Adjust the level of independence, not just the task (e.g. guided vs independent practice)

3. Build independent learners

Progress accelerates when students take ownership.

Encouraging learners to try, reflect and improve helps develop resilience and confidence.

What this looks like in practice:

• Give students time to attempt a problem before stepping in
• Use prompts like “What could you try next?” instead of giving the answer
• Build routines where students check their own work before submitting

4. Ask better questions

Great questions drive deeper thinking.

Using a mix of open, probing and conceptual questions helps students explain, justify and extend their understanding.

What this looks like in practice:

• Ask “How do you know?” or “Can you prove it?”
• Use hinge questions mid-lesson to check understanding before moving on
• Ask students to compare methods or explain mistakes

5. Make teacher talk count

Explanation matters.

Clear, purposeful teacher talk helps introduce new ideas and guide learning.

What this looks like in practice:

• Break explanations into short, manageable steps
• Model thinking out loud (e.g. “First I notice…, so I’m going to…”)
• Check for understanding regularly rather than explaining everything at once

6. Use collaborative learning effectively

Learning is social – when structured well.

Group work can deepen understanding, but only when it’s purposeful.

What this looks like in practice:

• Assign clear roles (e.g. explainer, checker, summariser)
• Use tasks that require discussion, not just division of labour
• Ask groups to present or justify their thinking

7. Model excellence through demonstration

Show, don’t just tell.

Demonstrating processes helps students understand what success looks like.

What this looks like in practice:

• Walk through a model answer step-by-step
• Share examples of strong and weak responses and discuss the differences
• Gradually remove support (I do → we do → you do)

8. Develop thinking skills

Progress goes beyond knowledge.

Encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving and inquiry helps students connect ideas, apply learning and become more independent thinkers.

What this looks like in practice:

• Use problem-solving tasks with multiple possible approaches
• Ask students to explain why a method works
• Encourage learners to generate their own questions

9. Build reflection into learning

Reflection drives improvement.

When students think about how they learn – not just what they learn – they gain the tools to improve, adapt and take control of their progress.

What this looks like in practice:

• Use exit tickets with prompts like “One thing I understand now is…”
• Build in time for students to review and improve their work
• Encourage peer feedback using clear success criteria

10. Make feedback a two-way process

Feedback is most powerful when it leads to action.

It should guide students on what to do next and help teachers adapt their teaching.

What this looks like in practice:

• Give focused, actionable feedback (e.g. one clear next step)
• Build in time for students to respond to feedback
• Use quick checks (quizzes, questioning) to inform next lessons

The thread that connects them all: formative assessment

At the core of all ten strategies is one powerful idea: knowing where each learner is and how to move them forward.

Formative assessment underpins every strategy, helping teachers understand starting points, monitor progress, and adapt teaching to meet students’ needs.

Turning principles into practice

In busy classrooms, it’s easy for great ideas to remain just that – ideas.

With ready-made schemes of work, built-in assessment, and comprehensive teacher support, Pearson Edexcel iPrimary and iLowerSecondary help teachers move from knowing these strategies to using them consistently in the classroom.

When your school uses the iPrimary and iLowerSecondary curricula, these strategies are embedded into everyday teaching, making it easier for teachers to plan with clarity, teach with confidence, and support progress for every learner.

Discover how iPrimary and iLowerSecondary can support progress in your school.