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.

Contents:

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction to the study of able underachievers
Teachers communicating with able underachievers
Developing relationships with peers, siblings and parents
Thinking and learning with able underachievers
Responding to personal and emotional needs
Creating opportunities for change.
Appendix 1: Staged criteria for the selection of able underachievers
Appendix 2: Transcripts and the use of a grounded theory approach by means of ATLAS.ti
References
Index