Personalised learning focuses on pupils’ individual learning styles, motivation and needs. It is being widely discussed at present as many groups seek definitions and ways of making the concept a practical reality. These resources include practical guides and a number of research associate reports that looked at different aspects of personalised learning. In response to the importance of this theme, NCSL has developed a new website, Personalising Learning.
Leadership for personalising learning (2008) 
(235kb, 33 pages)
Written and developed by Professor John West Burnham, this study brings together the key research and thinking into how school leaders can embed personalisation and high quality learning within every aspect of their school. The study is central to NCSL’s new Personalising learning website.
(Download only)
Leading personalised learning in schools: helping individuals grow (473kb, 60 pages)
This booklet aims to support headteachers wanting to learn more about and plan for personalisation. It provides school leaders with examples of practical steps and the latest thinking. It contains self-review questions to help headteachers consider the implications of personalisation for their own school, identify actions and evaluate current practice.
A printed version is available, priced £5.
Narrowing the gap: reducing within-school variation in pupil outcomes (2006) (1.2Mb, 47 pages)
Warning: large file
Members of NCSL’s Leadership Network share their work and outcomes on how they have tackled within-school variation (WSV) in their schools. This guide includes case study illustrations from primary, secondary and special schools, an audit proforma and a description of how to measure WSV.
A printed version is available, priced £5.
NCSL’s Leadership Network established a research project to explore, describe, report and comment on the approaches of schools across the country that were endeavouring to meet the challenge of personalised learning.
The eight reports written by NCSL Research Associates in 2006 are listed on the Personalised learning in action page. These explore each of the five components of personalised learning set out by the DfES, selecting their own focus.
Overview of the report findings (322kb, 12 pages)
A full set of summaries can be ordered priced £10. Please note that they are not available separately.
Personalised learning in action – And the pupil said… (2006) (493kb, 6 pages)
Hazel Pulley and Linda Jagger
This research focuses on learning from the pupil’s voice to guide a more personalised approach to learning and teaching. It aims to present an honest and representative picture of how learning was for the pupils, and whether the approaches adopted by the schools were affecting how they saw learning and themselves as learners.
Personalised learning in action – Are you learnin’ us today, Miss? (499kb, 6 pages)
Kevin Cooney
Developing assessment for learning as personalised practice.
Are you learnin’ us today, Miss? – full report (776kb,24 pages)
(Download only)
Personalised learning in action – Does it help to know? (495kb, 6 pages)
Viv Wakeham
An investigation into assessment for learning practices in four primary schools.
Does it help to know – full report (810kb, 27 pages)
(Download only)
Personalised learning in action – Hey, what about me? (498kb, 6 pages)
How schools provide for vulnerable children: those in danger of falling through the net and disengaging with education.
Hey, what about me? – full report (788kb, 30 pages)
(Download only)
Personalised learning in action – Lessons in partnership (495kb, 6 pages)
Derek Peaple
What are leaders, teachers and students learning from a collaborative approach to personalisation?
Lessons in partnership – full report (394kb, 26 pages)
Personalised learning in action – Mentoring: from data to people (500kb, 6 pages) Michael Stewart
This study has sought to evaluate mentoring within a small group of secondary schools and makes 10 suggestions for leadership teams.
Personalised learning in action – Mentoring: from data to people – full report (844kb, 20 pages)
Personalised learning in action: Personalising the curriculum at 14-19 (500kb, 6 pages)
Liz Cresswell, Paul Morrissey, Graham Soles
Common themes and unique features: lessons learned from research in four contrasting secondary schools in the north of England.
Personalising the curriculum at 14-19 – full report (388kb, 30 pages)
Personalised learning in action – Shape shifters (495kb, 6 pages)
Exploring an alternative approach to learning through the curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4.
Shape-shifters – full report (394kb, 26 pages)
Schools learning from their best – within-school variation project (2008) (202kb, 30 pages)
This report focuses on the results of what is a novel way of improving school quality, in which the system of schools itself learns from its own best people and practices rather than being encouraged to follow central guidance, policy or advice. This project is beyond the focus of much present educational policy on ‘schools helping other schools’ through federations, twinned schools and the use of superheads from one school to turn around whole groups of them, and instead focuses on what an individual school can do to learn from itself.
A printed version is available, priced £5.