How does The Dorcan Academy identify Highly Able learners?
A range of information has been used in this process including information from our primary feeder schools, students’ CAT scores and KS2/3 results, together with teacher assessment of students’ ability in the different subject areas.
Highly Able (HA)
At Key Stage 4 this group consists of those students with either:
At Key Stage 3 this group consists of those students with either:-
High Learning Potential Group (HLP)
This group consists of the top cohort of students in each year group who have been identified as Highly Able in a specific subject(s) in the curriculum.
How often are these groups reviewed?
The Highly Able groups will not change. The High Learning Potential groups will be reviewed on a half yearly basis. Parents will be informed if their child is in one of these groups at the beginning of the year and again in May. Students may join and leave this group as they progress at different rates.
The role of the Highly Able Co-ordinator
The Highly Able Co-ordinator; Mr A Robinson, plays a pivotal role in meeting and exceeding the needs of the Highly Able students. Please read letter which is sent from Mr Robinson to the parents of Highly Able students:
Dear Parent
It is wonderful and challenging to be the parent of a Highly Able student. You want to support them so that they achieve their potential, challenge them so that they aspire to great things and achieve their dreams, but at the same time not push so hard that they give up or collapse with exhaustion. The Dorcan Academy realises that it has a duty of care to these students to ensure that they achieve their potential. It is my role to support your child, you and the teaching staff at the Academy so that they do very well indeed. To that end please feel free to contact me at arobinson@dorcan.co.uk if you have concerns. If we all work together, I am sure that your child will make themselves and us all very proud indeed.
I will be meeting personally and regularly with the Highly Able students who are not making expected progress in order to provide support and monitor their performance. We will discuss and endeavour to resolve any barriers to learning. I will also coach the students in effective revision strategies and how to balance an academic and social life.
I will also, among other things, raise the profile of Highly Able students at the Academy and support teaching staff to ensure Highly Able students are challenged in the classroom.
Thank you in advance for all your support.
Yours faithfully
Mr Robinson
How does The Dorcan Academy provide extra challenge and support for Highly Able learners?
Beyond the many subject specific activities offered there are extra- curricular enrichment opportunities. We organise skill sessions, encourage participation in local and national initiatives, visit top Universities and discuss with students their needs and listen to their proposals for enrichment activities.
It is also important to mention that not all Highly Able/High Learning Potential students will be invited to participate in every enrichment activity. Rather, students may be invited to certain events which will aim to target the specific areas in which they excel.
Our Extended Pathway was introduced to support the accelerated progress of our high achieving students who have shown an aptitude through the curriculum and is designed to stretch and challenge. Students will study Combined Science, treating each of the three subjects separately in preparation of the opportunity to study Separate Science (Triple) at GCSE and two Languages from Year 7 along with a range of other academic and vocational options.
Upcoming events for our Highly Able and Higher Learning Potential students 2025-2026
The following are being planned by Departments to address the needs of our Highly Able and High Learning Potential Students in the Academic year. These activities are above and beyond the normal high-quality teaching expected in the classroom. This list will grow as the year progresses.
Extension opportunities
In Maths:
UK Maths Challenge
In Physical Education:
Competing in County Athletics competitions
In Science:
Visit to Museum of Natural History Museum for Christmas lectures.
