S15

PAGE 1

EXAMPLE IEP / CHALLENGE PLAN

FOR A HIGH POTENTIAL LEARNER
ADVICE SHEET

Summary
This advice sheet provides teachers and others within the education environment with an
example of an IEP or Challenge Plan for a high potential learner. It can be used by Lead
Teachers or those with responsibility for high potential learners as a basis to develop similar
plans for their own students.
Introduction
An individual plan for a pupil with high learning potential highlights to both parents and teachers
the areas of strength that need to be challenged and how appropriate provision can be put in
place. At the same time it addresses any weaker areas and how they can be supported.
Using the Example
Dependent on the age/stage of the student the Lead Teacher may wish to start by sharing our
advice sheet S14 with the high potential learner; this is a proforma for the student to think about
and/or complete. This can form the basis of a discussion with the student, teachers and parents in
order to develop a plan that accommodates the needs of and provision for the student.
Customising the IEP
This is an example that Lead Teachers can use and adapt to suit their school environment and the
age/stage of their pupils.
For example, the current case shows that the student has not been told that she is on the
Exceptionally Able register; a decision taken together by the Lead Teacher and parents, as the
student in question is especially anxious and it was felt that this would put undue pressure on her
at present.
Next Steps
Inevitably the value of such an IEP or Challenge Plan lies in it being used; sharing the information
with all relevant teachers, monitoring its implementation, involving parents so that everyone is
working together, and reviewing the plan regularly.
More Information
This example was adapted from an IEP from Potential Plus UK member school, Parliament Hill
School, with reference to the book Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Talented Students by Gwen
Goodhew.
Further Information Books and resources can be ordered from our website shop: www.potentialplusuk.org
S14 IEP/Challenge Plan for a High
An example proforma for completion by the student.
Potential Learner (Student Interview
Proforma)
This introductory guide for class teachers in primary and
Meeting the Needs of Gifted and
secondary schools looks at current strategies for identifying able,
Talented Students by Gwen Goodhew
gifted and talented children and meeting their social, emotional
and educational needs. Illustrated throughout with case studies
and FAQs.
Potential Plus UK Date of Issue:
February 2015
Potential Plus UK Planned Review Date:
February 2018
To give feedback on this advice sheet, please go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/advicesheetfeedback

Potential Plus UK 20132015

www.potentialplusuk.org

Information and Advice Service

Charity No: 313182

01908 646433

HIGH POTENTIAL LEARNERS: INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLAN

Students Name: VM

Form: 7X

Register: Exceptionally Able

Has the student been told he/she is on the EA register? NO

Strengths
Rapidity of learning, has a good memory
Curiosity about a wide range of different things
Creativity and using her imagination
Languages VM is learning Spanish in school and Italian out of school
Leadership skills
Academic hunger wants to learn about a range of topics in more depth
Organisational skills
Spelling
Overwhelming interest in all subjects, in particular Dance, Spanish, Drama, Origami and being superorganised

Areas for development

Participation in whole class discussion after having the chance to talk the answer through with
a partner
Coping with failure learning that it is OK to get things wrong and that taking risks is important for
good learning
Accepting advice (VM is best at accepting advice from teachers and sisters)

Needs
Not to be singled out or chosen to perform in front of others a lot more than everyone else e.g. in
Music as VM finds this stressful and she feel her under pressure to get it right
Opportunities to work with students of students with similar ability in a subject e.g. WR and CS in 7X
and AN in Spanish, DT and Maths
Opportunities to be stretched e.g. in Maths Master Classes or the International Maths Challenge
Opportunities to discover and pursue an interest
Involvement in PE, particularly a team sport. VM will discuss this with her parents
Occasions to demonstrate strengths but dislikes being singled out in front of the class
Reassurance and the confidence to stop worrying about minor matters e.g. being late to a lesson

Provision
Mentoring by a Year 10 G&T student
Opportunities to read more challenging books she has received the Year 8 G&T reading list

Experiences beyond the curriculum

Currently involved in
Music plays the violin and belongs to the school orchestra and a performance group outside
school
Drama involved in the School Production, Sister Act
Dance has joined PHS Dance elite
Is interested in being involved in
Students As Researchers project

Targets
1. To accept that the best learning takes places when the work is slightly harder than you can
accomplish at the moment so you are really challenged and are able to make mistakes you can
learn from.
2. To join in whole class discussion in Science at least once a lesson, hopefully after an opportunity to
discuss the question with a partner first.
3. To worry less about small things such as arriving late or forgetting a pen, accepting that everyone
cannot get it right all the time and the important thing is to learn when things go wrong so you can
plan differently next time.