At the chalk face: Differentiation is dead

“Differentiation is dead”… or is it? 🧠🔥

In this week’s At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) ideas in modern teaching.

We’ve all been there — late-night lesson planning, colour-coded worksheets, three versions of every task, and trying to make sure every learner is “met where they are”. But what if that approach is actually holding students back more than helping them?

In this episode, Craig and Dave challenge the traditional idea of differentiation by task and explore how teaching has evolved into something far more powerful: adaptive teaching through scaffolding.

💡 Instead of dumbing down tasks… we scaffold up.
💡 Instead of lowering expectations… we raise them for everyone.
💡 Instead of labelling ability… we support progress in real time.

We talk about:
Why “all must, most should, some might” might be outdated
How the workload skyrocketed with traditional differentiation
Why struggle isn’t something to avoid in learning
The shift towards whole-class high-challenge teaching
What effective scaffolding actually looks like in practice

From Rosenshine-style modelling to worked examples, sentence starters, and real-time teacher support, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can actually use in the classroom tomorrow.
And yes — we also revisit the infamous “colour-coded worksheet era” 👀

Whether you’re an experienced teacher or just starting out, this conversation will challenge how you think about planning, delivery, and what real progress looks like in the classroom.

👉 Watch now and join the debate: Is differentiation really dead… or just evolving?

Great teaching isn’t just about degrees — it’s about connecting with students, building relationships, and staying one step ahead.

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and some eyebrow-raising stories about life in the classroom — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and explore more support for teaching Computer Science with Craig’n’Dave.

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