Rob Lightfoot, NACE Associate and R&D Hub Lead

How can you engage colleagues across your school to develop a whole-school approach for more able learners? This is a common question, and a critical issue to address: for provision to be effective, it needs to be embedded as part of whole-school policy and culture. 

1. Make time, even during challenging times

There is no doubt we are living in unprecedented times, and time is in especially short supply for colleagues in schools. In normal circumstances, you would spend time finding your advocates and working with them to display the benefits of enhancing provision for your more able students. There is no doubt that when your provision is strong for more able students, then the achievement of all students improves too. In the end this is not creating additional work for staff; it will just mean doing things differently. Though it may be hard to make time to review what could be improved for the more able, ultimately this will be worthwhile and have a positive impact for a much wider group – as set out in the NACE core principles. 

2. Involve your school leadership team

Lead teachers for more able students must understand they cannot make the necessary changes on their own. The SLT has to be a central part of the process. Some lead teachers will already be part of the SLT, others will not. It is critical that the provision for more able students is discussed at a senior level so necessary procedures can be put in place across all departments or year groups. Consistency is the key if you are to create the biggest impact for students in your school.

3. Start work behind the scenes

Every school is in a different place. If you have been given the role of lead teacher for more able students but the staff around you cannot consider any changes at present, then there is plenty you can do behind the scenes, starting with an audit of your school’s current provision. If you do have advocates in your school already, then you can give them the same access to the NACE resources that are available to you (read more here). As I said previously, an advocate within the SLT is crucial.

4. Share the benefits of your NACE membership

Finally, consider how you can share the benefits of NACE membership with colleagues. Engagement in the NACE R&D Hubs would be a great opportunity for other teachers in the school with a passion for providing the best possible outcomes for your more able learners. The webinars are also a great source for whole-school CPD. Please be aware that all these resources and opportunities are available for every member of staff in your school, not just the lead teacher or the SLT.

For additional guidance and ideas, take a look at our “getting started” guide.

Useful links:

• Why focus on more able learners?
• Common myths and misconceptions about more able learners
• Getting started with your NACE membership