Listening to Able Underachievers : Creating Opportunities for Change

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.