High Ability
English HA Provision:
From Year 7 onwards, students are exposed to a range of challenging texts and extracts in order for able individuals to build their confidence, resilience and skill base. In Year 7 and 8, these include Orwell’s classics ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘1984’ respectively as well ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare – typically an A Level text – in Year 8.
In order to enrich our high ability students the English Department runs trips to the English Library as a part of their Able Writers program and all lessons from Year 9 upwards are pitched up to a Grade 9 for all who are up to the challenge.
Maths HA Provision:
KS3 lessons are designed to be rich in reasoning skills with opportunities for students to generalise findings and present back to their class. Lessons always include gold pathway activities, designed to stretch all learners, and ‘what if?’ moments which take the learning beyond the intended objective. KS3 students will be set online mini-projects at the end of some units of work which encourage greater discovery through open-ended extension activities.
In addition to the lesson content, HA students will be invited to take part in the annual UK Maths Challenge; a nationwide competition attracting over 600,000 applicants across three age ranges, designed to stimulate a passion for mathematics.
STEAM and Science HA Provision
Those pupils identified as being high ability (HA) are offered the opportunity to study the separate Science curriculum leading to them achieving 3 GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Throughout the KS4 course of study there are opportunities targeted at HA pupils. These include trips to Queen Mary’s University and opportunities to meet with undergraduates and professional scientists from a range of fields. In lessons HA pupils will be expected to interact with the topics in a more considerate and evaluative way. HA pupils are encouraged to look for links between different areas of Science all the while considering how ideas covered can improve our lives on an individual level and global scale.
HA provision in REAL:
HA students are exposed to challenging concepts and have the chance to practice GCSE style exam questions and writing styles early on. HA students are expected to interact with challenging texts and ask to question bias and explore issues on a local, national and global scale linking to GCSE ideologies which link to scale. Students also have the chance to create extensive home learning projects which take them beyond the learning objective creating models of environments to be used a homework showcases in lessons.
HA provision in History:
HA students are encouraged to form and substantiate opinions on a wide range of topics, ranging from historical significance to the moral, ethical and political considerations that are raised through the study of dictatorships. HA students are challenged to read widely around the unit, in particular to analyse written and visual sources from the time. This encourages students to develop a wider media literacy and historiography of how opinions change in response to time period, purpose, motive, profession or experience of the authors. Stretch and Challenge tasks to further the learning are embedded throughout lessons and schemes of work. Homework tasks also provide additional opportunities for pupils to carry out wider research into areas of interest and develop a love of learning in History.
HA provision in Sociology:
HA students are challenged to constantly extend their learning beyond the classroom to incorporate current affairs stories and contemporary issues. Stretch and Challenge tasks are embedded throughout lessons and schemes of work, as well as homework tasks, to ensure all students are working to their highest potential throughout their learning. HA pupils are challenged to use an impressive range of key terms throughout their written and verbal answers, with a focus on oracy skills and debate in the second term. We currently run a 6 week programme in the Autumn term for pupils to work with legal professionals in a series of workshops exploring the real-world implications of their learning in Sociology, as well as providing insight into a range of aspirational careers.
HA provision in Geography:
HA students are exposed to challenging concepts and have the chance to practice GCSE style exam questions and writing styles early on. HA students are expected to interact with challenging texts and ask to question bias and explore issues on a local, national and global scale linking to GCSE ideologies which link to scale. In addition to this, HA students also have the chance to visit and take part in specialist lectures at the Geographical Association speaking to individuals who have worked in humanitarian aid or taken part in expeditions in extreme environments bringing Geography into real life.
Design and Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition HA Provision:
Those students who are identified as HA or talented in design and technology are encouraged to pursue authentic design briefs and liaise with appropriate clients and target markets to complement their core curriculum projects. Those who wish to consider a career in a discipline of design and technology are provided information about appropriate exhibitions and the further education opportunities that are locally and nationally available to them.