At the start of the 2019 academic year Potential Plus UK launched its High Learning Potential Best Practice Award. It was designed to enable schools to demonstrate that they were meeting the needs of their high potential learners. Gaining the award clearly showed parents, stakeholders and inspectors that the needs of high potential learners were understood and being met by the school.
The award criteria covered:
• The school’s commitment to high potential learners
• Identification of these learners
• Provision in place to support, challenge and develop the skills of high potential learners
• Engagement with stakeholders and the community that supports high potential learners
• Monitoring and evaluation of strategies
Potential Plus UK was delighted that two schools in Camden, London, one secondary and one primary, became the first in the country to be assessed and have their provision recognised to merit the Gold Award.
The Best Practice Award acknowledged Parliament Hill School’s “excellent practice in challenging students to excel academically” and that Carlton Primary School’s “curriculum includes both academic and cognitive excellence and the development of skills”.
As part of the assessment both schools provided portfolios of evidence, which were then followed up by visits to the schools. A half-day visit included discussions with key members of staff and governors, as well as parents and the students themselves. A learning walk aided Potential Plus UK’s consideration about the school’s ethos on inclusion and challenge.
The detailed award criteria were used as a tool for self-evaluation to enable school leaders to identify good practice, as well as any areas for development. This information was then used to implement an action plan for improvement.
The High Learning Potential Best Practice Award closed 2023.
