Skill Profile
Differentiation
"Adjusting the content, task difficulty, resources or support within a single lesson so pupils at different ability levels can all access the same learning objective."
YOUR SKILLS
Problems This Skill Solves
- Prevents higher-ability pupils being under-challenged and lower-ability pupils being left behind in a mixed-ability class
- Keeps a whole class working towards the same learning objective despite different starting points
- Reduces disengagement and behaviour issues caused by work being pitched at the wrong level
- Supports schools in meeting inclusion duties without needing separate lessons for every ability group
Differentiation means writing three completely different lesson plans.
Most effective differentiation is done through questioning, scaffolding and support in the moment, not separate pre-written plans for every ability group.
Research & Outlook
Adaptive learning software and AI-generated worksheets are making it faster to produce differentiated materials, but teachers' in-the-moment judgement about which pupil needs which adjustment remains central.
See This Skill In Action
Watch a professional demonstrate Differentiation in a real working environment — what it looks like, how it's applied, and why it matters.
Education / Pedagogy
Differentiation
Also Known As
Growth Path
Uses pre-made differentiated resources provided by a scheme of work or colleague.
Designs differentiated tasks and questioning independently based on ongoing assessment of pupils.
Builds differentiation into curriculum design at scheme-of-work level and coaches other teachers on it.
How to Practise
- 1.Take one lesson objective and write three versions of the task at different challenge levels
- 2.Practise using open-ended questioning that allows pupils to respond at their own level of depth
- 3.Review pupil assessment data to group differentiation strategies by need rather than by fixed ability sets
- 4.Observe an experienced teacher deliver a differentiated lesson and note the specific adjustments made in real time
How to Prove
- ·Lesson plans showing differentiated tasks and outcomes tied to assessment data
- ·Observation feedback from a mentor or tutor specifically praising differentiation
- ·Pupil progress data showing gains across different ability groups in a class you taught