Challenge and More Able Pupils
More Able Pupils: Introduction
At St Hugh’s, we are committed to enabling every child to achieve their fullest potential. Our approach to supporting More Able Pupils (MAPs) is rooted in the belief that high-quality teaching and ambitious expectations benefit all learners, while ensuring that those with particular strengths are both recognised and appropriately challenged.
More Able Pupils are those who demonstrate high levels of attainment or potential in one or more academic or co-curricular areas. Some pupils may show exceptional ability, while others have high potential that emerges over time. Identification is an ongoing process, informed by teacher assessment, standardised data, and pupils’ performance in and beyond the classroom.
Provision for MAPs is embedded across the curriculum. Teachers plan lessons with “low threshold, high ceiling” opportunities, enabling all pupils to engage while ensuring that more able learners are stretched through higher-order questioning, independent enquiry, and deeper, more complex tasks. Pupils are encouraged to take intellectual risks, think creatively, and work both independently and collaboratively. A strong emphasis is placed on metacognition, self-reflection and developing independent learning skills.
In addition to classroom provision, enrichment is a central part of the St Hugh’s experience. Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities including academic clubs, competitions, trips, visiting speakers, and subject-specific extension activities. From Year 3 onwards, pupils may be identified within particular subjects and supported through targeted challenge, with increasing opportunities for extension as they move through the school.
As pupils progress, those with particular strengths may be prepared for scholarship pathways, supported by specialist teaching, mentoring and tailored opportunities. Across all year groups, we aim to foster curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning, equipping pupils not only to achieve highly, but to think deeply and confidently about the world around them.
Curious Minds & Q Club
From Year 3 onwards, More Able Pupils are invited to take part in our enrichment programmes, including Curious Minds (Years 3–4) and Q Club (Curiosity Club) (Years 5+). These clubs are designed to extend pupils beyond the classroom, developing critical thinking, discussion and problem-solving skills. Activities vary according to pupils’ interests, but typically include debate, research, presentation, and exposure to new ideas and disciplines. Q Club also benefits from occasional talks by members of the wider school community, broadening pupils’ perspectives. The programmes are further enriched through a peer-mentoring element, where older pupils support and inspire younger learners, helping to build confidence, collaboration and leadership skills.