Differentiation in the Junior School Classroom

From Head of Junior School, Heidi Shvetsoff

At Oxley College, we believe every child is unique — with their own strengths, interests, learning styles, and pace of learning. As educators, it is both our privilege and our responsibility to ensure that every student, from our littlest Kindergarten learners to our capable Year 6 leaders, feels seen, supported, and stretched to grow. One of the key ways we do this is through differentiation. Differentiation is something I am frequently asked about by parents.

So, what exactly is differentiation?

In simple terms, differentiation means tailoring our teaching to meet the different learning needs of our students. Rather than expecting every child to learn the same thing, in the same way, and at the same time, our teachers thoughtfully plan lessons that offer multiple ways for children to engage with learning, make sense of ideas, and show what they know.

This doesn’t mean every child is doing something completely different. Instead, it means we provide flexibility and choice within a shared learning experience. For example, in a writing lesson, some students might be supported with sentence starters while others are challenged to use complex vocabulary or different writing structures. In Mathematics, some children might work with hands-on materials to explore a new concept, while others solve open-ended problems that require deeper reasoning.

How do we do this in the classroom?

Our teachers use a range of strategies to differentiate, including:

• Adjusting the level of difficulty of tasks based on where each child is at.
• Offering different ways to learn, such as using visual aids, storytelling, technology, or group work.
• Providing different ways to show learning, like drawing, speaking, building models, or writing.
• Flexible grouping, where students work with a variety of peers — sometimes in similar ability groups, sometimes mixed — depending on the learning goal.
• Personalised goals, especially in areas like reading, writing, and numeracy, so that students are always working on something meaningful for them.

Why is this important?

When we differentiate, we are saying to each child: “You matter. Your learning needs matter and we believe you can grow.”

For students who need more support, differentiation ensures they don’t feel left behind. It allows them to access learning in a way that makes sense to them and builds their confidence. For students who are ready to be extended, it means they are challenged appropriately and inspired to go further.

Ultimately, differentiation helps all children to experience success, growth, and joy in learning — no matter where they start.

We are proud of the way our teachers at Oxley work together to create inclusive, responsive classrooms where every child can thrive. We also value our partnership with you, as parents and carers, in supporting your child’s learning journey.

If you ever have questions about how your child is being supported or challenged at school, please reach out to your child’s teacher or our Director of Curriculum, Mrs Alison Rasheed. We are always here to listen and to work together.