Higher Attaining Subject Provision

English – In English, we aim to spark a lifelong love of English by challenging and inspiring every student. From Year 7, our higher attaining pupils are invited to join the Aspire Higher Club, where they explore creative and analytical skills beyond the classroom. Students write poetry, enter competitions and create their own podcasts. We celebrate performance and expression through our Poetry in Performance Competition, which begins in school and leads to county-wide events. Our students also take part in national writing competitions, with many having their work published — a proud achievement that showcases their talent. As students progress, they enjoy enriching experiences such as Poetry Live and theatre trips, helping them engage deeply with Shakespeare and poetry at GCSE level. Recently, a group of aspiring writers attended a creative writing workshop at Buckingham Palace, an unforgettable opportunity that encouraged them to dream big.  Providing students with memorable experiences is a core part of our ethos, published writers and authors are invited into school to deliver workshops with our Aspiring students. Theatre companies provide an immersive performance of A Christmas Carol and Jekyll and Hyde for students to watch. At Key Stage 5, students attend university-led lectures and visit London theatres, gaining insight into the works of renowned playwrights and developing advanced analytical skills. Through these opportunities, we nurture creativity, confidence, and ambition — empowering our students to flourish and find their voice in the world of English. 

Maths – In Maths our higher attaining students are challenged from the very first lesson in Year 7. This constant development of the skills of our highest achievers continues throughout the school, including during their GCSE and A Level years. This ensures the highest possible achievement from these students, who will develop strong, applicable skills along the way. Outside of lessons, we offer the UKMT Maths Challenge at various points throughout the school, as well as visits and in-school enrichment activities for our students to see the benefit of studying maths in a wider context.

Science – In Science we offer a challenging curriculum which increases our higher attaining students’ curiosity and encourages them to learn and develop the necessary skills in order to achieve excellence. This development starts in year 7 and is implemented all the way through GCSE and A Level. We also offer a range of enrichment activities outside of lessons, including our after-school STEM club, in school visits from outside agencies and trips to science fairs and institutions. We also celebrate British Science and Engineering week to show how science applies to real world situations. Our exciting new Science Ambassadors team is an opportunity for higher attaining students to come together to plan activities for the wider school community.  We encourage our higher attainers to be the driving force in future scientific developments.

Drama – The drama department at Beauchamps is committed to extending the talents of our high attaining students. We provide opportunities for challenge, creativity, and leadership both within and beyond the classroom. High attaining students are encouraged to take on demanding roles in performances that stretch their performance skills.  Engage in devising and directing projects, exploring complex themes, styles, and practitioners. Participate in extra-curricular productions, theatre visits, and workshops. Develop evaluative skills through detailed analysis of live and recorded theatre.  We aim to inspire our high attaining students to excel creatively and academically, fostering the confidence and independence for further study and future success in the performing arts.

Geography – At Beauchamps we allow students to develop their understanding and enjoyment of geography through trips to the Science and Natural History Museum, as well as encouraging students to explore the subject independently through a list of recommended books, films, programmes and locations to visit. We run competitions that extend geographical knowledge and skills to make sure students become well rounded geographers which involve tasks such as geocaching and completing open university courses. We also advertise topical talks from leading academics to help further understanding from the RGS, Fieldstudies Centre and the G.A, as well as university departments across the country and the wider world. Lastly, we run a Geography Club based around different countries each week and students get their own passport as we move around the world and learn about different cultures. We try and encourage higher attaining students to organise this club where possible for younger students, to develop their leadership skills and to help promote and share their love of geography with the school.

History – Academically History allows for the development and deepening of a range of skills (for example, explanation, analysis and evaluation) which supports a range of other written subjects across the school. Opportunities for this are highlighted throughout lessons and if needed students are directed to these. We additionally look to conceptually challenge pupils’ understanding and, judgements within lessons through discussion and written tasks. Where needed written structures are provided to help support students to reach the higher levels.

Outside of the classroom the department encourages students to immerse themselves in the subject. Up to date reading, watching and visiting lists are available and take into account what is currently available, on platforms such as Netflix, and what is being taught. Where possible we also try to run trips to support the learning in the classroom. In the past we have taken groups to the battlefields in Europe, The Medical Museum and The British Library to enhance understanding for GCSE and A Level students.

We are running several extra-curricular clubs for students in KS3 – a History Film Club, which allows students to focus on topics around the curriculum or further their knowledge on those they have been learning about and a higher attaining students Personal History Project, which gives students an opportunity to delve deeper into a historical topic of their choice and develop their own project on this topic.

In KS5 students are encouraged to participate in a weekly film review group and teachers mentor students according to their ability to ensure that they are challenging themselves appropriately. Wider reading is always encouraged and we have worked closely with the library to develop the historical reading available. The independent Study unit in particular allows for students to develop themselves as learners, completing a piece of work to degree standard.

ERP – High attaining (HA) students are engaged through multiple different stretch and challenge activities inside and outside of the classroom. Students are engaged through deep questioning that allows students to think in more depth about the philosophy of religion. Students are engaged with extension activities that encourage higher level thinking skills, that usually require students the  to demonstrate skills to compare and contrast or evaluate. We use the approach of learning both ‘from’ and ‘about’ religion in our extension activities. Students may learn ‘about’ religion and then compare what they have learnt ‘from’ religion. Students are also able to access online resources that allow them to challenge the nature of reality. Students have access to philosophical podcasts on Teams, along with other podcasts that provide an insight to ethics and morality and how both ethics and philosophy have had an impact on religion. HA students also have the opportunity to engage with ERP through Extra-Curricular activities. We currently run a lunchtime club called ‘Big Questions and Biscuits’ that challenge students to think about philosophical questions and to understand the nature and purpose of religion. We also take part in the ‘Spirited Arts’ competition that encourage students to create a creative project based on a religious theme. This gives HA students the opportunity to create an abstract concept based on the theme. HA students are also encouraged to be creative in our ‘First Give’ programme where students have the opportunity to win £1000 for a local charity. This gives HA students the opportunity to come up with creative ways to present their charity and through fundraising activities that are relevant to the charity. Many HA students that supported the charity Mind last year come up with the idea of a sponsored silence for their social action plan. This was effective as it represented the stigma attached to keeping silent about mental health issues. HA students are enjoying the current provisions that are put in place to challenge them, I plan for more resources to be included in the future.

MFL – Our high attainers in French have the opportunity to develop their spoken skills in the subject through dedicated conversation sessions. In addition, we offer personalised extension material and challenges to invite students to think beyond the requirements of the GCSE course. 

Students are offered to take part in the Spelling Bee and “Have your say” competitions to both enhance the written part of the subject and develop further their cultural understanding. The “Have your say” competition also aims at encouraging students to put themselves forward and use languages outside the classroom. As further provision for our students’ language development, we also organise enrichment activities and residential trips abroad.

Art – Identifying higher-attaining students in Art can be challenging, as pupils often demonstrate strengths across a wide range of media and styles.

In the first few weeks at Beauchamps, students are introduced to an artist selected by the department. They explore the artist’s work, develop their own ideas in response, and produce a final development painting. We recognise, however, that it takes time to discover each student’s individual strengths. To support this, we invite students to bring in any previous artwork they have created—whether produced in primary school or independently at home.

All our lessons are designed to stretch and challenge every pupil. Once higher-attaining students are identified, they are invited to join our Gifted Art Workshops and the Art Committee. Through these extra-curricular opportunities, students work independently on a range of creative outcomes, developing their skills across different media and techniques. They also contribute to key school events, such as designing sets for drama and music productions, and creating displays for other subjects and areas around the school.