Stretch and Challenge7 strategies for maximising the progress of More Able Learners

Strategy 1: Use students’ Personal Learning Strategies

Getting to know the students’

preferred learning styles andpersonal aspirations will

help youto match your planning andteaching more effectively to

thestudents’ learning needs

Strategy 2: Use class learning pro formas

For top sets, or clusters of More Able students in mixed groups, co-construct a learning pro forma to focus you and the students on how to gain the top levels/ grades

Strategy 3: Differentiated work Extension work should never beabout doing more of the same. Addanother layer of difficulty:• More abstractness• More complexity• More variety• More open-endedness• More analysis/ critical thinking• More reasoning• More pace• More depth and detail• More breadth• Study of methodologyDon’t be afraid to fast-track

students to work for a higher year group

Don’t expect More Able students to work through easy tasks first!

Strategy 4: Provide targeted intervention

What exactly is the intervention need? Develop specialists across your team in a variety of areas:

• Lifting your work by 1 grade/ level

• Exam/ Assessment skills• Exam/ Assessment

knowledge & understanding• Learning and memorising

skills• A/A* or L8 performance

Strategy 5: Use other students• Peer Coaching: horizontal

and vertical• Study Dates• Form Time Coaching

(Maths example)• Student Buddies in or

across classes• Buddy up classes in

different year groups. Have top set Year 10 students working with top set Year 7 students

Strategy 6: Buddy up classes• Buddy up top set classes or

top set students in different mixed ability classes and encourage class competitions

• Team plan, teach and mark, and do peer assessment across classes

• Have student buddies across classes

• Have a shared email group address for A/ A* wannabes in your subject

• Have a designated subject mentor from your department for A/ A* wannabes

Strategy 7: Provide EnrichmentMore Able students should

be working above and beyond the curriculum:

• Extension tasks to add breadth and depth

• Extra projects tailored to students’ interests

• Extra reading and resources for students who want to learn more

• Trips and visits to stimulate students’ curiosity

• Enrichment activities to allow students to explore your subject