Draws on research into pupils’ perspectives on schools and school work in order to offer insights into raising academic achievement in school. There is particular concern with children underachieving in schools, and some of this is put down to children’s lack of motivation to work and do well. This book illustrates how understanding and doing something about underachievement means understanding and doing something about pupils’ views of themselves. Better understanding of the causes of, and ways of dealing with, low achievement in schools can come from better understanding of the connections with children’s perceptions of their own ability and competence, and their motivation towards school work.