More Able

Provision for the More Able

We will break the norm!

Evidence shows us that many of our country’s most able students, who attend non-selective secondary schools, fail to achieve their potential compared with students who attend selective and independent schools. Our aim at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form is to ensure that every one of our More Able students achieve, or exceed, their potential.

At Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form, we strive to support the academic, cultural and personal growth of our young people by providing an array of opportunities for advanced learning both inside and outside of our classrooms. We have a culture that supports and encourages academic success, where the most able, the most ambitious and the most curious minds can exercise their independence and truly flourish as scholars. Our school is more than just a series of classrooms, it is a pathway to your child’s success.

Every Key Stage holds a series of interlinking curriculums that are enriched with social, cultural, moral and spiritual learning and varied learning opportunities: these are designed so that students can hone their own individual skills and talents. We, as professionals, are here to guide and support them on their journey to becoming well-rounded, kind and valuable members of society.

All more able students will receive:             

Home Links

Each More Able student will receive a letter home, informing their family of that they are on the More Able register. Teachers will then send home termly reports on progress, which will be monitored by the Senior Leadership Team, any student that is not making expected progress will be highlighted and parents/guardians informed. Intervention will then take place to enable this student to succeed and achieve.

‘Personal Learning Portfolio’

Each More Able students is met by a member of SLT to discuss their dreams and ambitions and strengths and weaknesses. Through this conversation, a ‘Personal Learning Portfolio’. This portfolio is then shared with all staff, so that staff are aware of the individual needs of our most talented students.

Challenging Home Learning provision

In addition to homework, our More Able students will be offered a range of additional learning opportunities to help expand and develop their knowledge. Each student, in year 7, will be provided with a guide on how to support their own curiosity. Thus, students will have a fantastic choice in what to study. They will take ownership of their learning.

A Culture for Success

• effective assessment for learning that informs the planning of challenging curricular targets and differentiated learning objectives;
• additional stretch being provided through a combination of enrichment, extension and acceleration;
• opportunities for independent learning;
• support in specific areas; and
• integrated learning in settings beyond the classroom.

Masterclasses

Our More Able students will be offered the opportunity to take part in master classes, led by industry experts.

Emotional Support

Education for the more able, as for all young people, should focus upon their intellectual development as well as their emotional and social needs. This should include key aspects of learning such as: social skills, self-awareness, feeling management and empathy. As a school, we ensure that we build upon these skills within our PDT programme and PSE programme within Form Time. For some academically gifted young people, they can feel uncomfortable with their ability (as though they are different from other people) and therefore all students are offered the opportunity for positive intervention: a mentor or ‘peer buddy’ who will offer them valuable support.

Specific interventions, per year group