These resources were originally published on 4 August 2025, 3 December 2025 and 19 December 2025.

Summary

These resources are part of the illustrations of practice series for What Works Best 2025. They provide teachers and school leaders with descriptions of key strategies from NSW public schools excelling in one or more of the What Works Best themes.

In this edition, the illustrations of practice (one for each theme) will be published as separate documents.

The illustrations of practice are not intended to capture all aspects of the What Works Best themes, and it is important for readers to consider how strategies and practices should be responsive to the learning needs and goals of students in their own school.

How to use these resources

School leaders and teachers can read, consider, discuss and implement strategies highlighted in the illustrations of practice and accompanying resources as part of school-developed High Impact Professional Learning (HIPL). The What Works Best 2025 – Evidence guide for excellent schools and What Works Best 2025 practical guides can be consulted for further information about the evidence underpinning the themes and practical ideas for implementation.

School leaders can:

• discuss the illustrations of practice as part of whole-school professional development and/or stage or grade team meetings
• access the What Works Best 2025 – Evidence guide for excellent schools and What Works Best 2025 practical guides to make evidence-informed decisions for leading school improvement and lifting student outcomes
• encourage teachers to share key findings during professional development
• support staff to find connections between What Works Best and the School Excellence Framework
• display the What Works Best 2025 – Evidence guide for excellent schools overview (PDF 657 KB).

Teachers can:

• access the What Works Best 2025 – Evidence guide for excellent schools and What Works Best 2025 practical guides to make evidence-informed decisions
• consider how the practices could be implemented in the classroom to lift student achievement, and discuss their thoughts with colleagues
• reflect on the impact of implementation.

Related resources

• The What Works Best 2025 – Evidence guide for excellent schools lays out the research and data behind each of the 8 themes.
• Access the What Works Best 2025 practical guides for practical ideas on implementing the evidence for each theme.
• Learn more about Explicit teaching for all the What Works Best themes.
• The research, ideas and practical examples profiled in the What Works Best 2025 resources support the vision and goals of Our Plan for NSW Public Education.
• The School Excellence Framework supports school leaders take a planned and whole-school approach to improvement. The 8 themes closely align with the School Excellence Framework.

Contact

Email feedback about this resource to info.cese@det.nsw.edu.au using the subject line ‘Re: What Works Best 2025 illustrations of practice’. You can also subscribe to the CESE newsletter and connect with us on Viva Engage (staff only).

Alignment to system priorities and/or needs: Our Plan for NSW Public Education and our overarching commitment to creating an equitable and outstanding education system where every student learns, grows and belongs.

Reviewed by: Aboriginal Education and Communities; Curriculum; Inclusion and Wellbeing; Public Schools; Regional, Rural, Remote and Unique Settings; School Excellence; School Leadership Institute; School Workforce; Student Wellbeing Support; Teaching and Learning Support (under the 2025 departmental structure).

Created/last updated: Originally published 4 August 2025.

To be reviewed: CESE publications are prepared through a rigorous process. Resources are reviewed periodically as part of an ongoing evaluation plan.