The Above and Beyond Awards took place a year ago today. The awards celebrate parents, teachers, support staff and other professionals in the UK who go ‘above and beyond’ to help exceptional young people within the UK achieve their high learning potential. They also celebrate the achievements of children and young people in the UK, ‘above and beyond’ expectation for their age, who help in the wider community or are overcoming challenges in order to excel.
Thank you to all the nominees and winners of the 2019 awards – it was brilliant to meet you and hear of your initiatives, dedication and successes. Discover more about the day in our Above and Beyond Awards Roundup and about the winners in Above and Beyond 2019 Award Winners
We are also grateful to Bobby Seagull, who has moved from being host of the awards to becoming a Potential Plus UK ambassador – he is working tirelessly to support the cause of high potential and Dual or Multiple Exceptional (DME) learners.
Since the awards Potential Plus UK, has been raising awareness of the needs of high potential and dual or multiple exceptional learners. So, how have we gone ‘Above and Beyond?’ Here are just some of the things we have done.
In the Past Year:
- We have answered over 5,000 enquiry calls.
- We have collaborated with 15 partner organisations – including the Above and Beyond partner organisations.
- We have delivered 20 courses for teachers and parents in schools.
- We have organised 4 successful national events for parents and families – creating community for children with high learning potential and DME.
- We have spoken at 3 national conferences.
- In collaboration with Mariza Ferreira – the Above and Beyond Inspirational Therapist Award winner, and with the aid of The Potential Trust, we have helped train Occupational Therapists in the needs of children with high learning potential and dual and multiple exceptionality.
- We have campaigned to help parents have a say in the UK’s latest Education Inspection Frameworks and advocated for high potential learners with the Department for Education and Ofsted. https://potentialplusuk.org/index.php/2019/11/05/what-is-ofsted-looking-for-in-schools-that-will-benefit-our-young-people-with-high-learning-potential/
- With nasen we are currently exploring ways to develop services for young people with Dual or Multiple Exceptionality.
- In collaboration with Whole School SEND we are training teachers in recognising and aiding young people with DME in the classroom.
- With MK stakeholders we are exploring ways to recognise and support disadvantaged young people with the potential to excel in their education and life, looking to develop a model of support across schools and other local organisations. https://potentialplusuk.org/index.php/2019/12/03/exploring-support-disadvantaged-and-send-learners-with-high-learning-potential/
- We are working with HELP – Higher European Learning Potential to develop one voice across Europe in support of young people with high learning potential and DME. https://potentialplusuk.org/index.php/2019/10/08/hawkwood-college-an-autumn-conference/
- We have published a number of articles in 2019. including sharing awareness raising with:
- The John Catt’s Which School Special Needs Guide: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding your Child’s Spiky Learning Profile
- The SEND Gateway (repeated by permission on Potential Plus UK’s website): Best Practice in Provision for Dual or Multiple Exceptional (DME) Learners
This has been a great first ‘Above and Beyond’ year for us and we look forward to sharing the journey of supporting and raising awareness of high potential and DME learners with many more people in 2020.
About the Author: Geraldine Glover is Potential Plus UK’s Community Information Coordinator. She is a Chartered Information Professional with a background in editorial work and information science. She is the mother of two children with high learning potential.
