On Tuesday morning, Ms de Groot, Deputy Headteacher and I delivered an assembly to students in Years 8, 9 and 10 identified as a High Prior Attainer (HPA).

HPAs are students who achieved a scaled score averaged across English and Maths of 110 or more in their Year 6 SATs. Students are categorised via external government analysis. They are therefore distinct from the “more able” students identified by teachers according to the flair they have demonstrated at Bushey Meads School in particular subjects.

At Bushey Meads School, about 20% of the year group are HPAs.

As well as explaining how HPA students are identified, Ms de Groot reminded the students that all their GCSE target grades would be calculated at least a grade 6. All the students in the assembly have the potential to achieve the highest grades in Year 11 and certainly in the top 20% of the year.

In order to realise that potential the students have a responsibility to maximise their learning opportunities through:

• positively contributing in all lessons with an Attitude to Learning score of at least a 5
• completing all home learning
• completing the ‘golden box of challenge’ extension activities in class
• having an attendance figure of at least 96%

• taking part in at least one extra-curricular activity: BMS extended curriculum
• taking on student leadership role: BMS Student Leadership
• completing a Flair project from the More Able booklet: More Able booklet
• completing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in their chosen subject area: MOOC
• listen to TED talks on a chosen topic: TED talks

We look forward to working with the HPA students to help them realise their full potential.