More-Able Learners

At Orchard Primary School all children are valued for their individual strengths, talents and special abilities, whether this is in a core curriculum subject or in any other area.

We understand that all children, including the more-able pupils, require support and challenge in their learning in order to make progress and reach their full potential. Here at Orchard, we use the term ‘more-able’ to refer to pupils who demonstrate or have the potential to work at a standard well above their peers; this means they are exceeding the National Curriculum expectations for their age. This may be in one or more areas of learning.

To see the School's 'More-Able and Talented Policy', please view our policy page.

Provision for more-able pupils
We endeavour to meet the needs of higher ability children through careful identification and monitoring strategies and by providing access to a curriculum that will not only support the development of the whole child intellectually, socially and emotionally, but will enable them to show aptitudes and quality of thinking.

We strongly believe that engaging teaching and learning for all is the key to securing achievement for every child. Through creative curriculum activities, more-able pupils are given a wide variety of exciting challenges and experiences, developing the ability to question, explain, persevere, communicate their thoughts and take risks in their learning whilst building relationships.

We support our more-able pupils by giving them opportunities for open-ended tasks, higher-order thinking challenges and extension activities. In class children work in a range of ways; ability groups, mixed ability, paired work and independent work. We use a variety of teaching styles and a range of higher-level questions to stimulate critical thinking.

Enrichment
In addition to these, we also offer opportunities for children to take part in enhancement activities, such as Art or Science workshops with other local schools. This helps the children to develop confidence and leadership skills. Pupils demonstrating exceptional ability will also be encouraged to take a full part in extra-curricular activities.

Additionally, we run our own ‘Donington Dynamo’ workshops for more able pupils showing exceptional ability in a range of curriculum areas.

Provision for gifted children may well include individual programmes, the opportunity of tackling demanding tasks where initiative and design are required and at times the chance to work with older children.

What can I do for my child at home?
There are many ways that parents can support their more able children. Below are just a few ideas that you may like to try.

  • Encourage them to take up a hobby.
  • Encourage independent research (Use local libraries or the school library which has a range of materials for the more able student.)
  • Encourage them to read national newspapers or to watch the news on television, to help their knowledge of current affairs.
  • Talk to them about what they have learnt in school during the day and what has particularly interested them.
  • Support homework activities by ensuring that the work is completed to a high standard.
  • Encourage creative and independent interests using resources either from local libraries, the internet or the School.
  • Help to develop team skills including cooperation and leadership by encouraging your child to take part in team games and sports.
  • Encourage your child’s work in school, providing rewards for good work, to stimulate an environment of positive achievement.
  • Talk to them about Thinking Skills and encourage them to do lateral thinking puzzles etc., to increase and develop these skills

Visit the following websites for resources and ideas to your child’s development:

nrich.maths.org.uk
www.worldclassarena.org
www.funbrain.com
www.bbc.co.uk/schools
www.nace.co.uk (National Association for Able Children in Education)
www.emilygravett.com
www.oliverjeffers.com
www.hoagiesgifted.org

To find out more about more-able provision at Orchard, please read the school’s latest policy or feel welcome to ask our Curriculum Development Leader for more-able pupils, Mrs Shields, any questions.