The Honours Programme is year long academic programme aimed at the most able pupils in year 7 and 8. The course is delivered in a lecture and seminar style approach providing further enrichment opportunities outside of school. The schedule provides subjects and topics of study not typical on the Hurstmere curriculum, which have been specially chosen to stretch and challenge students and to push them outside of their comfort zones.
A range of skills will be developed throughout the course; these will encourage students to question the world around them, enable students to take risks, work independently and as a team. The topics selected should continue to instil a love for learning whilst raising student aspirations so that they reach their full potential.
In July students and parents will be invited to a ceremony evening which will see students present on topics of interest and 'graduate' from the Honours Programme.
Programme of Study from September 2023 - July 2024
Thursday 28 September | SGR | Introduction to the Honours Programme |
Wednesday 28th September | JWI - Yr 7 | Overview and Author Presentation |
Wednesday 4th October | Maths - Yr 7 | Origami in Maths |
Wednesday 11th October | PBO - Yr 7 | Is your memory |
Wednesday 18th October | JPW - Yr 8 | The voting system extended |
Half Term | ||
Wednesday 1st November | English - Yr 7 | Greek Mythology |
Wednesday 8th November | SWN - Yr 7 | Microbits |
Wednesday 15th November | JWN - Yr 7 | The Aspinal Foundation and Captive Breeding |
Wednesday 22nd November | PBO - Yr 8 | Morlas and Ethics in psychology |
Wednesday 29th November | DB - Yr 7 | Block Printing |
Wednesday 6th December | DB - Yr 7 | Block Printing |
Wednesday 13th December | LM - Yr 7 | An intro to Latin |
Wednesday 20th December | JWN - Yr 8 | |
Christmas Holiday | ||
Wednesday 10th January | JWI - Yr 7 | Journalism |
Wednesday 17th January | PBO - Yr 7 | How to improve memory |
Wednesday 24th January | JWN - Yr 7 | The Aspinal Foundation and Captiv Breeding |
Wednesday 31st January | Art - Yr 8 | |
Wednesday 7th February | SWN - Yr 7 | Microbits |
Half Term | ||
Wednesday 21st February | JWI - Yr 7 | Dystopia |
Wednesday 28th February | SWN - Yr 8 | Computing and Programming |
Wedesday 6th March | JMO - Yr 7 | Glaciation; types of ice |
Wednesday 13th March | JPE - Yr 7 | The Voting system |
Wednesday 20th March | JPE - Yr 7 | Parliament and Voting |
Wednesday 27th March | ||
Easter Holidays | ||
Wednesday 17th April | JWI - Yr 7 | Publishing process |
Wednesday 24th April | ALT - Yr 7 | Spanish food |
Wednesday 1st May | JMO - Yr 7 | |
Wednesday 8th May | ||
Wednesday 15th May | ||
Wednesday 22nd May | JMO - Yr 8 | 300 Word Essay |
Half Term | ||
Wednesday 5th June | JWI - Yr 8 | |
Wednesday 12th June | JMO - Yr 7 | Glaciation:Cryosphere Changes |
Wednesday 19th June | MWT | Presentation Skills |
Thursday 27th June | SGR | Begin Presentations |
Week Beginning 1st July | ALL HPTs | facilitate group presentations |
Wednesday 10th July | Student Presentation to Parents, HP teachers, RPS and SLT | |
Activities week |
High Attainers and the More Able
We aim to achieve a whole school ethos where achieving at a high level is an expectation. We will do this by implementing effective identification and monitoring of our most able pupils on the basis of their academic abilities and potential. This includes:
- The identification of pupils with particular abilities
- Developing pedagogy that meet the needs of the more able
- Procedures for monitoring and evaluating provision and intervention for the most able
- Information and guidance for all staff to support the more able.
Identification
Higher Prior Attainers
High Prior Attainers are students who show great potential to achieve high level outcomes across a range of subjects. Identification of these students begins on entry to Hurstmere School with those who achieved a scaled score of 110+ in English Reading and Maths in Year 6. They will be expected to work in the Mastery band in most or all of their subjects.
Cohort | KS2 Prior Attainment | Key Elements |
Years 7, 8, 9, 10 | A mean scaled score of 110+ | Mathematics and Reading |
During the Induction Days, the new Year 7 cohort sit CAT4 tests. Score of above 128 (top5% nationally) will indicate that a pupil may also be a Higher Attainer, even if their KS2 data suggests otherwise.
More Able
Pupils are recognised as More Able without being a High Prior Attainer. Such learners will show marked aptitude in any curriculum area. This could include:
- Creative (e.g. aspects of science, design and technology, creative writing)
- Artistic (e.g. art and music)
- Practical (e.g. ‘hands on’, technological, vocational)
- Social (e.g. personal and interpersonal, leadership qualities)
Additionally, other characteristics that could indicate a More Able pupil include:
- That they are an advanced reader showing an understanding of language beyond his chronological age
- That they are highly articulate and verbally fluent
- That they give quick verbal responses to problem solving activities
- That they communicate to an adult level, showing an interest in topics beyond the curriculum
- That they show unusual and original responses, and can communicate their opinions and views
- That they are emotionally sensitive, showing an awareness of others
Teachers can make More Able nominations at the beginning of each year, but will not be able to “un-nominate” any pupil. Continuing the More Able nomination beyond just one year ensures that pupils who have shown a special talent for an area are constantly expected to do well in that area.