Higher Ability

At Tibberton Community 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 higher ability pupils, require support and challenge in their learning in order to make progress and reach their full potential.

Here at Tibberton, we use the term ‘higher ability’ 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.

Provision for ‘higher ability’ pupils

We endeavour to meet the needs of higher ability children through careful identification and monitoring strategies and 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 higher ability 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 task, 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. Varied teaching styles are used to stimulate critical thinking skills.

Supporting your child at home

The main thing that you can offer your child is your time. Most everyday activities can be turned into valuable learning opportunities when shared with a parent. Sharing and respecting the things that your child is interested in, is also important in building self-esteem and developing a good relationship.

Below are just a few ideas that you may like to try.

Encourage them to take up a hobby.
Ensure that children are reading books that challenge them and offer something different. Talk to them about what they are reading. They should be exposed to a variety of authors, genres and styles of writing.
Encourage independent research (Use local libraries or the school library which has a range of materials for the more able student.)
Encourage children to use a dictionary to check the meaning of vocabulary, and use a thesaurus to improve words.
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 and encourage them to explain their answers.
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