More Able Students
Our School Ethos
More Able Parents/Carers Leaflet
NACE parent guide for more able learners
At King Edward VI School, Lichfield we believe it is really important that pupils of all abilities enjoy school, are encouraged to do their best and are supported so they can develop into the best person they can be. Those pupils that are identified as more able or talented at King Edward VI School, Lichfield are supported and challenged in their studies by all departments, to encourage them to flourish and pursue their interests whilst at school. We aim to provide a variety of extra-curricular activities and opportunities to promote growth for these pupils both academically and emotionally, in addition to combining this with high quality teaching and learning in lessons.
Who to contact
GSheppard@keslichfield.org.uk or AGiles@keslichfield.org.uk (Miss G Sheppard and Mrs A Giles – Lead Teachers for More Able Students)
Identification
Initial identification for the whole school list is based on Key Stage 2 data and information sent from Primary schools. From then on, More Able Students can be identified at any time throughout the school year through teacher nominations. Our ‘Core’ group will be identified in 5 or more subjects (both through data and teacher nominations); other pupils who excel in specific areas will be recorded on our more able list.
Key Stage 3 and 4 Extra-Curricular opportunities
In addition to planning and teaching creative and challenging lessons, departments across the school organise excellent extra-curricular trips and visits for the most able pupils in school. This ranges from the Maths Challenge to the History Quest (in which the school came first) at the University of Birmingham.
Pupils will have the chance to attend Film club. We watch films from a range of different genres and then put some of the skills seen on screen into action! This year we have had talks about Astronomy after watching The Martian, in addition to a fantastic session on memory with our Head of Social Sciences following on from watching the film Inception.
Year 7 also have the opportunity to get involved with the Children’s University scheme. This runs in conjunction with Staffordshire University, and encourages pupils to attend a broad range of extra-curricular clubs. Activities in school can go towards this, in addition to accredited locations around the UK including the National Memorial Arboretum and Shakespeare’s House in Stratford upon Avon.
For Key Stage 4 Students there are sessions based around the most successful ways to revise for Year 11 in amongst other supportive sessions offered by subjects. Key Stage 4 pupils are also very welcome to attend Film club, we have had some excellent reviews completed on the Into Film website and lots of pupils received prizes for their reviews.
The Scholars Program and the Brilliant Club
Run in Partnership with Oxbridge:
Each year, a group of Year 10 More Able students have the opportunity to participate in a series of 7 tutorials with a world leading PhD tutor on a super-curricular topic taught at one level above their current Key Stage. Once the tutorials are complete, students are supported to write a 2000-word dissertation on the topic, critically analysing the academic information and arguments introduced in the tutorials. The programme aims to make students stand out on their UCAS applications for Russel Group Universities, as well as giving them an opportunity to experience university style learning and engage with a topic outside of their curriculum. New topics are assigned every year and designed by a PhD tutor and previous topics have included “Lighting Up Microbes: analysing microorganisms with light”, “Did modern music predict the first world war”, “Could we predict dementia?” and “The healthy heart’”.
Once their dissertation is complete and graded, students are then rewarded with a graduation ceremony at a top 5 University such as Warwick or Oxford to celebrate their achievements.
The Scholars Programme – The Brilliant Club
Key Stage 5 More Able Students
Subject Specific Opportunities at King Edward VI School, Lichfield
English
- Poetry competitions
- Debating club (KS4)
- Targeted reading recommendations at KS3 that support students in developing their reading skills
- Shakespeare workshops
- Theatre trips
Science
- STEM club for Year 7
- Evening lectures at the Garrick Theatre which are organised by the Lichfield Science and Engineering Society. The speakers at these events are experts in current scientific research and developments in industry.
- Visits to Cambridge University in 2023 and 2024 to participate in a Mars Rover Workshop and tour.
- Year 9 science visit to France in 2026
Biology
- Biology Challenge in Year 10
- Intermediate Biology Olympiad in Year 12
- British Biology Olympiad in Year 13
Physics
- Intermediate Physics Challenge in Year 11
- British Physics Olympiad in Year 13
Drama
- Students have the opportunity to become the invited audience for BTEC examination performances
History
PE
- Students attend / coach / support extracurricular activities & events
- Nottingham Trent University Trip for KS5
- Visits to local primary schools and teach younger students (KS5)
Art
- Year 8 Homework project - Still Life Drawing
- Year 8 Summer Festival Letter workshop
Useful Links
BBC Future – A series which explores interesting questions, from ‘What’s the best age to learn a language?’ to ‘Can AI help cure loneliness?’
Oxplore – As the ‘Home of Big Questions‘, Oxplore tackles complex ideas and offers a chance for you to debate and think widely across a range of subjects while drawing on the latest research undertaken at Oxford.
The Oxplore Book Club– Discover a new book every month until the summer break, and enjoy author profiles, quizzes, videos and more. You will be able to submit your own book reviews for the chance to win prizes and there will be a monthly book chat on Zoom with some very special guests.
Ted Talks – Short and fascinating talks discussing lots of bold ideas.
Zooniverse – A chance for you to contribute online to real-life research projects.
Staircase 12 – A hub of resources and information to help you explore your subjects outside the classroom, run by University College, Oxford.
For Parents/carers:
National Association for Gifted Children: The National Association for Gifted Children is one of the best places for parents of gifted children to find resources, reading, help, and advice on raising an exceptional child.
Mensa for Kids: Mensa embraces younger members through this website, offering up monthly themes and ideas to get students reading and learning at an advanced level.
