Teacher encouragement ‘gives pupils long-term boost’

Encouragement from teachers is key to keeping pupils engaged with education after the age of 16, suggests a study of more than 4,000 students in England. Middle-ability students and those whose parents lack qualifications benefit most from positive feedback, according to the Cambridge University research. The students were tracked for seven years from the age of 13 onwards. This is the first study of its kind to quantify the effect of encouragement on pupils, says the university. “When people speak of a positive school experience, they frequently cite a personal relationship with a teacher and the encouragement they were given,” said report author Dr Ben Alcott. “Our research helps quantify that impact and show its significance, particularly for addressing social mobility.” Read More