How can schools raise levels of achievement? Huge sums have been spent on the National Curriculum and in Scotland on 5-14, on league tables, on testing and on inspection, mostly with minimal effect on classroom practice. Robert Powell, in the first book of this new series, presents a powerful and challenging case for politicians and schools to change the priorities: Put Learning First and focus efforts on teaching and learning. Teachers no longer need to be told why we need to improve literacy and numeracy, or why we need to reduce poor behaviour, underachievement and truancy, they need to know how.

Using real examples from the hundreds of schools across the UK that have worked with the author on this issue, Robert Powell presents a range of practical strategies:

• Developing interactive class teaching
• Building literacy across the curriculum
• Improving behaviour and motivation
• Planning varied learning tasks and activities
• Strategies for differentiation
• Assessment for learning

The practical ideas on learning will delight teachers, student teachers, governors and parents, all of whom know instinctively that good teaching is the key to raising levels of achievement. Senior and middle managers will find two whole chapters devoted to the issue of how such developments can be initiated, developed and sustained, including one section which looks at how many schools' structures and procedures actually prevent the raising of achievement.

All readers, teachers and non-teachers will find the book stimulating, challenging and at times amusing.