High Attaining Pupils Statement


 

High Attaining Pupils Statement

At St Charles Catholic Primary School, we want every child to be encouraged, stretched and valued as an individual. Some pupils show high levels of attainment or quickly grasp new ideas, and we aim to provide these children with learning experiences that challenge them and help them to flourish.

We do not operate a formal “Gifted and Talented” register. Instead, we make sure that the needs of high-attaining pupils are recognised and planned for as part of our everyday teaching and learning.

Our Approach

We believe high-attaining pupils benefit from:

  • A broad, ambitious curriculum that offers depth as well as challenge
  • Adults who set high expectations and promote a love of learning
  • Opportunities to think deeply, solve problems and explore ideas independently
  • Tasks that encourage pupils to be curious, resilient and reflective
  • Enrichment opportunities across the wider life of the school

Identifying High Attaining Pupils

Pupils may be recognised as high attaining if they:

  • Have achieved highly at an earlier stage, or
  • Demonstrate advanced understanding in a particular subject or skill, or
  • Make very rapid progress compared to age-related expectations

Identification is flexible and reviewed regularly. A child may be high attaining in one curriculum area, several areas, or for a specific period of time as their skills develop.

Classroom Provision

Teachers plan for challenge as part of their everyday practice. This may include:

  • Activities that deepen thinking and encourage reasoning
  • Open-ended tasks that promote independence and creativity
  • Carefully planned questioning to extend understanding
  • Opportunities for leadership, responsibility and enrichment
  • Regular monitoring of progress to make sure pupils continue to be stretched

High-attaining pupils remain part of the main class and curriculum; they are not routinely withdrawn for separate activities unless it directly benefits their learning.

Monitoring

School leaders and teachers work together to:

  • Track the progress of high-attaining pupils
  • Review provision through lesson visits, book looks and discussions with pupils
  • Ensure pupils are making strong, sustained progress across the curriculum

Provision is reviewed annually as part of the school’s wider evaluation of teaching and learning.

Inclusion

We are committed to ensuring that all high-attaining pupils, whatever their background or personal circumstances, are given equal access to challenge, opportunity and support.