Stretch and Challenge
Phase 0 – Transition
Successful transition is central to ensuring that the speed of progress made at primary schools is maintained or increased when students reach secondary school.
We have high expectations of what our students have achieved at primary school, and look to build on their prior learning immediately rather than setting work which is not challenging or repetitive
Many subjects will conduct base level assessments at the start of Year 7 to establish the knowledge, skills, and understanding that students already have.
Phase 1 – Quality First Teaching
The most important part of our provision for More Able students is the quality of teaching they receive in every lesson, every day.
More able students are aware of the ability of all students in their classroom and differentiate lessons to challenge every student they teach. The More Able students are identified as ‘Prior Attainment High (PAH)’ on seating plans.
Schemes of Work have been written working backwards from GCSE to allow for higher challenge and greater levels of mastery.
Assessment for Learning is used to determine the current level of students.
All teachers are required to provide additional ‘challenge tasks’ for our more able students to ensure they are constantly accelerated. These tasks are embedded within the ‘thinking hard’ strategies used throughout lessons.
Homework is differentiated to allow students of all abilities to be challenged at home.
More Able students are used as Learning Mentors and Subject Experts during lessons.
Phase 2 – Enrichment Opportunities
- Enrichment activities help to improve students’ motivation, build self-esteem, and provide them with the cultural capital they will need to be successful in the future
- All Departments provide additional stretch and challenge activities and resources on Frog
- All Departments have contributed sections towards the stretch and challenge at home booklet which outlines how students can enhance their understanding of subjects beyond the curriculum
- The school enters more able students into additional activities such as the Maths challenge, debating competitions, and STEM workshops
- ‘Future Friday’ provides an opportunity for students to raise their aspirations and find out about future careers
- Examples of further enrichment activities at Oxted School include:
- Enrichment opportunities provided by every subject in a 'Stretch and Challenge at Home' booklet
- 'The Brilliant Club'
- Advanced Maths Club
- Orchestra
- Junior and Senior Choir
- Booster 9-7 Sessions
- Year 8 and Year 9 Royal Institute Maths lectures
- Debating Society
- STEM – careers events and University events
- Languages Leadership Scheme
- Sports Leadership Scheme
- Science 9-7 Lecture Programme
- 'The Acorn' School Newspaper
- Partnerships with specialist schools, such as the Yehudi Menuhin School
- Surrey University – taster week
- Royal Holloway Open Day – raising aspirations (Year 9)
- Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 trips to St Hugh’s College, Oxford
- Surrey University Skills Fair
Additional Resources
The following links may be of interest to parents: