Question 1

What is the KS3 Alliance?

Accepted Answer

The KS3 Alliance is a sector-led improvement network focused on strengthening education, engagement and outcomes during the Early Secondary Years.It brings together schools, trusts and system leaders to develop a stronger shared understanding of excellence in Years 7 to 9 and, crucially, to identify, test, evaluate and share approaches that can help more young people thrive.

Question 2

Why focus specifically on Key Stage 3?

Accepted Answer

The Early Secondary Years are hugely consequential. They are the last universal stage before young people begin following different pathways, and a period when patterns of engagement, attendance and attainment can become increasingly established.

Question 3

What’s wrong with our current approach to Key Stage 3?

Accepted Answer

Time after time, this crucial period of development is overlooked and underinvested in. Key Stage 3 is often seen primarily as preparation for GCSEs 0 rather than as an important developmental and educational stage in its own right.We believe Years 7 to 9 deserve the same focus on evidence, practice and improvement that other phases of education have benefited from.

Question 4

What does the Alliance mean by the 'Early Secondary Years'?

Accepted Answer

We use the term Early Secondary Years to describe Years 7 to 9, traditionally referred to as Key Stage 3.The language and name are very deliberate. Just as the Early Years Foundation Stage recognises the early years as a distinct and important phase of a child’s education and development, we believe the early years of secondary education should be thought about with the same care and intentionality.Between 11 and 14, young people are going through a significant period of development and change. These years should be understood and designed as a distinctive stage of education in their own right, rather than simply as the period between primary school and Key Stage 4.

Question 5

What does excellent practice in the Early Secondary Years look like?

Accepted Answer

One of the purposes of the Alliance is to develop a stronger, evidence-informed answer to precisely that question.Our starting point is that excellent Early Secondary Years should be both ambitious and engaging. Academic rigour and strong relationships are not alternatives.Young people should experience high expectations and intellectual challenge alongside a strong sense of belonging, trusted relationships, excellent transition, clear routines, growing independence, curriculum breadth and opportunities to develop their identity and interests.The Alliance will work with schools and trusts to identify, test and evaluate the practices that make the greatest difference.

Question 6

Is this about lowering expectations for young people?

Accepted Answer

No. Quite the opposite.The Alliance starts from the belief that lower prior attainment should not become a ceiling on what a young person is expected to achieve.Our aim is to understand how schools can create the conditions in which more young people can meet high expectations. That means combining academic ambition with the relationships, belonging, routines and support that help young people succeed.

Question 7

How will the Alliance work?

Accepted Answer

The national Alliance will work through a network of Regional Alliances, bringing together schools, trusts and system leaders.These networks will identify shared challenges, find promising practice, test approaches and evaluate their impact. Where there is evidence that something works, the Alliance will help refine, describe and share that practice so others can learn from it.The aim is not simply to disseminate ideas. It is to build a disciplined model for improvement based on evidence, evaluation and collective problem-solving.

Question 8

Is the Alliance an accountability or inspection body?

Accepted Answer

No.The KS3 Alliance is not an accountability mechanism, inspection framework or compliance process. Data will be used proportionately and for improvement rather than judgement.The Alliance is a collaborative improvement community. Peer review will be constructive but rigorous, combining professional support with appropriate challenge.

Question 9

Will young people's views be part of the work?

Accepted Answer

Yes.The experiences of young people will be an important part of understanding what excellent Early Secondary Years look and feel like.The Alliance will combine evidence about outcomes with the experiences of pupils themselves, particularly around areas such as belonging, engagement, relationships and transition.

Question 10

How will the Alliance support disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND?

Accepted Answer

Disadvantage and SEND will be an explicit focus throughout the Alliance's work.We know that experiences and outcomes during the Early Secondary Years are not the same for every young person. Understanding where gaps emerge or widen and identifying approaches that improve experiences and outcomes for those facing the greatest barriers, will therefore be central to our work.

Question 11

How will schools outside the Alliance benefit?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the Alliance is to help improve the Early Secondary Years across the system, not only within participating schools.Findings, evidence, practical tools, resources and examples of effective practice will be shared so that schools and trusts beyond the Regional Alliances can learn from the work.We will also be open about what does not work. Building a stronger evidence base means learning from approaches that prove effective and from those that do not.

Question 12

How will you know whether the Alliance is making a difference?

Accepted Answer

Evaluation is central to the Alliance's approach.We will define problems precisely, use data proportionately, test approaches at a manageable scale and evaluate them using both quantitative and qualitative evidence.Promising approaches will not be promoted simply because they sound compelling or have worked in one setting. The aim is to understand what makes a difference, for whom and under what circumstances, before considering how successful approaches might be used more widely.

Question 13

How can I stay up to date with the work of the Alliance?

Accepted Answer

You can sign up to our regular newsletter using the link at the bottom of our website.

Reimagining the early secondary years

National KS3 Alliance co-chairs

The National KS3 alliance is jointly chaired by CEO of the North East Learning Trust, Dame Lesley Powell DBE and CEO of Lift Schools, Becks Boomer-Clark.

Dame Lesley Powell DBE

Becks Boomer - Clark

Our national call for evidence

Our vision & priorities

KS3 regional networks

Frequently asked questions