Westminster Briefing Conference

Challenging the Most Able: Fulfilling the Potential of All Students - Wednesday, 19 July 2017

Alan Barham (Education Consultant and former Headteacher); Susanne Staab (Headmistress, Norton Knatchbull School); Sue Kelly (Deputy Head, Norton Knatchbull School); Emma Brining (Head of MASt and Gifted & Talented, Sir John Lawes); Mirela Temo (Educational Improvement Consultant – MAGT Lead, Ealing Council); Bob Cox (Presenter, Writer & Director, ‘Searching for Excellence Ltd’)

Nearly a year on from Ofsted's Chief Inspector portraying the performance of the most able children as ”a bleak picture of under-achievement and unfulfilled potential”, the progress of that cohort remains a focus for inspectors, policy-makers and School Leaders alike. SJL Head of MASt and G&T Mrs Brining spoke at this conference, organised by Westminster Briefing, contributing to a comprehensive update on how best to fulfil the potential of the most able in our schools and how to measure their success. The conference was attended by Senior and Middle leaders, Gifted & Talented/Most Able Co-ordinators, Teaching & Learning Co-ordinators, Teachers and Governors from UK schools.

Key Issues addressed at the conference included:

· Overview of the national policy context: Progress 8 and beyond

· Stretching the most able to achieve their potential

· The Ofsted view: what to expect on inspection

· Impact of changes to the schools landscape

· Building a Whole School Approach

· Defining, identifying and tracking the most able pupils

· Putting Social Mobility at the heart of your plan

· Engaging and motivating teachers and support staff

· Examining the transition from KS2 to KS3

· Making use of extra-curricular resources and methods

 

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