Strategies to grow stretch & challenge learners

What grows S&C learners?1. Students who are self-confident, motivated and engaged learners2. Students with strong skills in speaking, listening, critical thinking and independent study and a good command of academic English3. Students engaged in learning that goes above and beyond the curriculum4. Students who understand what top grades look like5. Students with significant family resources and support

Oxbridge definition of a S&C learner

P I T S

Performance Interesting Thinker Stamina

Excellent academic qualifications and

literacy skills

CommittedIntellectually curiousWide & critical reader

Can:Argue the pointHypothesise & EvaluateSee connections & patternsThink on new groundThink out of the boxThink criticallyThink independentlyHave lots of ideasBe intellectually flexible

Highly motivatedHard working

Work independentlySelf-disciplined

Time management

1a. Encourage challenge• Learning hooks

Reframe learning to promote curiosity e.g. Change ‘The Development of Church, State and Society 1066-1509’ into ‘Lords v. Peasants’

• ‘Hot’ learning menus

Differentiate learning activities by how hot they are – one to four chillies • Charge for help

Give students ‘Help Tokens’ which they have to spend on help. Reward those students who spend the least through concentrating carefully and thinking for themselves

• Socratic Question stems

Ensure that students have Socratic Question stems in their books to encourage them to ask higher order questions. Display these round the classroom

• Team ChallengesSet Team Challenges that encourage students to collaborate

• Challenge Me cardsThat can be used by students in lessons to request more challenge

For more ideas see the 7 Strategies range and Strategies to Improve Memory Skills

1b. Book PolishingEncourage students to develop motivated and engaged attitudes to their work by regularly taking time in lessons to book polish

For more detail see How to Book Polish

2a. Grow thinkers• Provide Learner CPD so that students understand their own learning• Add Extended Abstract thinking opportunities into lesson plans and Schemes for

Learning• Encourage More Able learners to note extended abstract thinking in their Thinking Journals• Use SOLO Taxonomy in thinking sessions to encourage students/ groups of students to

improve their thinking:Have an ideaHave different ideasElaborate on different ideasHave a new idea

• Use the SCAMPER model to encourage students to think out of the box:Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Rearrange,

Reverse• Play Debating Tennis between students/ teams of students to encourage them to ‘argue

the point’

For Literacy Ideas see Strategies for Developing S&C Literacy power point

2b. Grow MindsetStudents can ‘Grow their Brain’ by learning something hard and improve their intelligence through hard work. Grow students who:• Enjoy effort• Welcome mistakes• Can handle difficulty• Don’t just want to look smart

See Learning Contract

3. Go above and beyondSee Strategies to Build a S&C Super Curriculum power point

4. Students understand what top grades look like

• Practice Tracker to allow students to compare their practice attempt to the model answer

• Key Stage 3 mastery statements• Y7-13 Progression Grids• Feedback booklets• TOWER strategy

Talk, Organise, Write, Edit, Redraft

For more ideas on assessment see Strategies for Assessment

5. Parent Academies• Family Learning Evenings• Parent Buddies• More Able Drop Ins• Career Cafes