Photo by MTJ Media

What you can do:

• Work together to ensure the whole school has a ‘can-do’ attitude and high expectations of all its pupils
• Try to set aside any preconceptions you may have about boys’ willingness or ability to learn
• Be explicit in your expectations for achievement and progress of all pupils
• Challenge and explicitly explore any stereotypical views about gender, so that children become aware of how these can limit their potential
• Tackle any ‘macho’ tendencies to see school as ‘uncool’ or ‘for girls’ as early as possible – this may include involving ‘cool’ male role models
• Set clear rules for acceptable behaviour – and show that you have high expectations for boys’ behaviour as well as their learning
• Make sure you value the things that boys do and like doing – boys often get criticized rather than recognized
• Where boys are reluctant learners, choose specific strategies to motivate and engage them