This book provides a new contribution to raising attainment in secondary schools, with specific reference to able underachievers who are currently achieving C grades or less when they could be getting As. Standards are depressed each time a single able underachiever demonstrates a competence that is below his or her real potential. It lowers morale in that the progress of the whole school is reduced proportionately in line with the able pupils who aren't achieving their real potential, and resources are wasted every time these pupils start misbehaving or creating problems in school. This is a new and innovative approach, which is based on discussions with the pupils themselves and incorporates not just the usual basic subjects but also the creative areas of the curriculum and the wider community as a whole. Head teachers, senior managers, teachers and students, indeed all who are interested in raising standards and ensuring that pupils achieve their full potential will find this book to be an excellent resource.

A practical guide to identifying gifted underachievers and enabling them to fulfil their potential, raising whole school standards. Extensive new content includes the latest best practice in addressing able underachievement Explains the origins of underachievement, both overt and covert, especially in more able learners - provides a model that identifies a range of factors that conspire to lower achievement The UK Government's 2005 White Paper 'Higher Standards, Better Schools for All' set specific provision for Gifted and Talented (G&T) - there are similar programmes in all developed countries The editor is a leading researcher in G&T education - contributors include Belle Wallace, Barry Hymer and Ian Warwick, the foremost practitioners in the field

This practical resource shows what teachers can do to combat disadvantage and underachievement in schools and from early years to secondary education. Written by an experienced teacher, teacher educator and chartered psychologist, the book highlights effective teaching and learning methods that can be used to overcome barriers to learning, satisfy different learning needs and help students achieve their full potential. Packed with up-to-date research, useful guidance and examples, the book explores what schools have done and what they can do without need for extra resourcing. It includes case studies that examine the types of underachievement patterns that are found across age ranges and, by detailing approaches in subject teaching, defines the nature of effective learning and shows what strategies can be used to meet these criteria. Moreover, the chapters provide: An exploration into the central needs of underachieving and disadvantaged learners across the ability range Information about how to audit the provision and the needs Accessible resources for the classroom changes that need to be made to the education and training of teachers Tackling Disadvantage and Underachievement in Schools is essential reading for teachers in early years education and primary and secondary schools, teachers in training and their educators, as well as leaders, policymakers, researchers and anyone interested in improving performance in schools.

This book sets out the educational challenges, benefits and possibilities of embracing a truly inclusive approach to gifted and talented education and provides a framework for a school to create its own inclusive policy in this area of need. Calling on international research, current educational initiatives, and work within the Barrow Education Action Zone (EAZ) and elsewhere, the authors set out to demonstrate that the inclusion and standards agendas can - and should - take with them the growing interest in the educational needs of gifted and talented pupils. The result is a short but comprehensive and fundamentally practical book, which will be of value to any school or LEA wishing to create and implement a dynamic, reflective and inclusive policy for gifted and talented pupils.

This quick reference guide contains comprehensive listings and definitions of common terms in able, gifted and talented education, as well as other aspects that you might need to learn about, find or use – all in a teacher-friendly format. It includes: clear and concise definitions that translate jargon into plain English a 'who's who' guide of gifted and talented education explaining the contribution of major experts and theorists alphabetical listings of organisations, resources, suppliers and websites full cross-referencing so you can find your answers quickly.

The authors of this highly engaging book carried out extensive analysis of 12 key schools, selected for their challenging circumstances, whose effective strategies have enabled their more able pupils to thrive and achieve their full potential.