Progression Approach

A progression approach aims to support young people through a ongoing structure of support and guidance, creating an indivdual journey of personal development and learning.  Raising aspirations, developing interpersonal skills and supporting participants to reach their full potential; academically, socially and professionally. 

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Below is an example of a progression journey that a student may take whilst engaged in the Gifted Students Academy from year 9 though to the end of their schooling in year 13.

Although each year of workshops stands alone they are most powerful and useful when the student progresses through the Academy in this way, following the entire journey of learning and development.

Each year consists of workshops and follow-up days, with each participant challenged to apply their new skills and tools in a practical and effective manner.

Year 9: Introduce the young people to the concept of self-identity and brand. Create an awareness of both how they are perceived and how they interact with their environment and others. Support the participants to develop their self-awareness, learning style preferences and personality types. Focus on fact versus interpretation, building good rapport, effective communication skills and working well in teams.

Continue by developing an understanding of self-management, project and time line management, exploring options, goal setting and models for achieving their goals.

Year 10: Focus more on effective team work and introduce leadership skills. Introducing the notion of personal choice, self-responsibility and self-determination. Building on what they have learnt about communication and introducing presentation skills, assertiveness, negotiation and influencing others. Introduce the participants to powerful tools for building confidence and self-assuredness, reducing stress and anxiety.

Year 11: Making informed choices is the focus of these workshops, supporting the participants to research and evaluate their options in regards to Further and Higher Education as well as potential careers.

Introduce the students to some advanced learning skills, including memory techniques, study and revision skills, setting clear goals and outcomes, developing vocabulary, speed reading, and using Bloom’s Taxonomy to explore how to get the best grades possible from exams. Examine and analyse the structure of GCSE papers so that the students feel comfortable and confident in preparing for and sitting their exams.

Year 12: These workshops have a clear future focus, supporting participants to explore their options and determine clear goals and targets. By the end of this year of workshops the students will have developed a clear, individual, personal plan and strategy for achieving their SMART goals.

In addition students are supported to identify target universities and examine in more detail their route into Higher Education and their institution of choice, including effective applications and interview skills.

Year 13: During this year there is a re-focus on effective study skills, developing advanced learning skills further and examining and analysing A Level papers. Re-visiting personal brand, communication, team work, presentation and interview skills.

In addition to a review and update each participant’s goals, strategies and time-lines.