Greater Depth/ PHA (Previously Higher Attaining)
Greater Depth Pupils – PHA (Previously Higher Attaining)
Our Terminology
The DfE and Ofsted define the more able in terms of those whose progress significantly exceeds age related expectations. Exceptionally able pupils are those who have the capacity to achieve or perform at the very highest levels.
The defining terminology used within St Bede’s for more able pupils is ‘Previously Higher Attaining’ (PHA), meaning they have a history of working well above average expectation. In terms of their reports, these pupils will have targets listed as ‘Greater Depth’, and this is also the terminology used in lessons.
Our Aims
At St. Bede’s, we aim to create an environment in which all pupils are encouraged to develop their full potential as individuals, spiritually, mentally and physically. All pupils, including those with particular gifts or talents, have a right to an education that is suited to their specific needs and abilities.
We strive to offer able pupils challenging and interesting work that stretches and extends their knowledge and skills. We look for opportunities to recognise and celebrate excellence in all areas of the both the taught curriculum and beyond. We want to help all our pupils prepare for the modern world by encouraging creativity, skills and critical thought.
We seek to ensure that such pupils are identified within each area of learning and that those pupils then have the opportunity to gain access to experiences that will help to develop their talents in the best possible way.
Our Provision
The school uses a number of strategies to identify ability and monitor achievement and progress. In addition to the use of verified and validated test scores, able pupils are also identified through teacher nomination. When the nominations are received, these are then collated to form registers of PHA pupils, which are communicated to all staff so that the extended needs of the pupils can be met.
In lessons, teachers are encouraged to provide PHA pupils with options for deepening their level of understanding. Providing open-ended tasks that allow pupils to explore a concept in their own way and control their own learning is just one way in which we help more able pupils to flourish. In addition to this, more complex, specifically tailored tasks (known as ‘Diamond Tasks’) are set to encourage pupils to really show their ability and skills.
In addition to provision in lessons, we also have a wide and varied programme of activities outside of the timetabled curriculum to help our pupils reach their potential. We also encourage pupils to extend their opportunities further by becoming involved in clubs and activities run by local organisations. There is also a wide range of Greater Depth/PHA resources available on the school website, which cover areas including how to develop successful personal, organisational and academic skills, as well as pastoral guidance.
If you have any questions regarding the provision for PHA pupils at St. Bede’s, please contact the Miss James the Lead Teacher for PHA/Greater Depth Pupils at rjames@stb.magnificat.org.uk
Greater Depth Resources
Welcome to the Greater Depth PHA Resource Area!
This is the area of our school website dedicated to Greater Depth PHA pupils and extending your learning. So, what can you expect?
What does PHA mean?
PHA stands for ‘Previously Higher Attaining’, and it basically means that at some point in your school career, your teachers have identified that you have a particular strength in one or more subject areas. This could have been identified through tests, school work, achievements or natural ability, and it usually means that you will be given targets of ‘Greater Depth’ in those lessons. You will notice in lessons that you will be encouraged to go for the ‘Gold’ target and may even be set extra challenges to really help you to extend your learning further and stretch your abilities.
What does this area of the website provide?
Here, you will find lots of fun things to try, as well as some really complex activities designed to challenge you. There is something here for everyone! We want to help you to find new interests, develop helpful new skills, boost your creativity and also encourage critical thought. There are three main areas of the PHA section to explore:
* Boost Your Brain
* Cool Things to Learn and Explore
* Useful Skills, Tips, Tricks and Brain Games
In each area, you will find stacks of interesting activities to have a go at. Some involve videos, some are creative challenges, some are workshops from people who have excelled in their field and there are even some amazing 360-degree tours to explore! There’s also lots of opportunity to develop personal skills such as how to do a successful presentation; boosting your memory and managing your time effectively. You can even learn how your brain actually works!
How do I use these resources?
These resources are all designed to be accessible on pretty much any device.
If you have any questions about being a Greater Depth/PHA pupil, please speak to your subject teacher. Alternatively, you can speak to Miss James, who is the Lead Teacher for PHA at St Bede’s.
We hope that you enjoy building your skills and knowledge with these resources – it’s all up to you to get involved and take your learning further. The sky is the limit!
‘The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice’
Boost your Brain
Building Your Skills and Brain Power
In this ‘Boost Your Brain’ section, you will find a range of PowerPoints designed to help you to improve your ability, train your brain and understand how it works. Most of the PPTs have short videos to watch, as well as useful tips and info to read.
Here’s a quick overview of what you can study.
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1. How does your brain work? Find out about how your brain actually works, how it keeps us alive, how fast thoughts are and even explore mini-brains that scientists have created in the lab! This PPT is very scientific but has some fascinating things in it. You’ll learn lots about your brain! |
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2. How to be an original thinker Find out about how you can think outside the box and learn about how you can be successful by thinking in different ways. Learn to take risks and trust your instincts! There are some questions and behaviour tasks to try too. Click on this link for the how to be an original thinker resource |
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3. How to deal with Imposter Syndrome If, like Albert Einstein and Maya Angelou, you have ever felt that you don’t ‘deserve’ success or that your talents are all down to ‘luck’, then this is the one for you. Learn to celebrate your special skills – it’s okay to do well! Click on this link to access the how to deal with Imposter Syndrome resource |
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4. Fixed and Growth Mindsets This PPT helps you find out what sort of mindset you have. It also gives you pointers on how to develop a Growth Mindset, which is really helpful for achieving success! Click on this link to find out which mindset you have |
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5. What is your Learning Style? This PPT and the related Word documents will help you to work out which Learning Style you are. When you find out, you can tailor your learning to fit your style and maximise your ability! Click on this link to find out about learning styles Click on this link to access the learning style quiz Click on this link to find out about tips to help you learn more effectively |
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6. Managing Stress and Learning to Relax This PPT talks you through ways to reduce stress and offers some great tips. It also looks at how to get good sleep and gives you useful links to the ChildLine website. |
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7. Dealing With Mistakes and ‘Failure’ This PPT looks at some of the most famous, successful people in the world and shows you one thing they all have in common – failure at first! We then look at perfectionism and how to deal with mistakes and when things go wrong. It’s ok to make mistakes – don’t let them hold you back! Click on this resource to help you deal with mistakes and failures |
Cool things to learn to explore
In the ‘Cool Things to Learn and Explore’ folder, you will have the opportunity to discover lots of amazing activities and interesting topics. You’ll be able to visit places virtually that you might never see in real life; examine famous art in unbelievable detail and even learn from the experts about how to be a success!
Here’s a quick overview of what you can study.
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1. Awesome 360-degree Virtual Tours Have you ever wanted to visit somewhere amazing, put not been able to? Why not try some of these awesome 360-degree tours? You can go inside space shuttles, see dinosaurs or even take a tour around India!
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Useful Skills, Tips, Tricks and Brain Games
Building Your Skills and Brain Power
In this section ‘Useful Skills, Tips, Tricks and Brain Games’ you will find a range of PowerPoints designed to help you to improve your general skills and your ability to learn. There are also some fun games to try! Most of the PowerPoints have short videos to watch, as well as useful tips and info to read.
Here’s a quick overview of what you can study.
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1. Boosting Your Self-Confidence This short presentation guides you through how to build your confidence. It’s a small start, but everyone has to start somewhere! |
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2. How to be Confident When Leading a Presentation Do you get nervous when talking in front of the class or doing a presentation? Find out about how you can build your confidence and present successfully without being nervous! |
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3. Learn to Sketchnote Sketchnoting is a great way to make notes that involves drawings, symbols and arrows. It’s great if you find note-taking hard, if you’re a visual learner or if you enjoy doodling. You don’t have to be a good artist – don’t worry! |
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4. How to practise effectively for just about anything! Whatever your talents are, you can help them to grow with effective practice. This PPT gives you tips to help you to maximise your ability and reach your goal, whatever it may be. |
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5. Time Management and Study Skills Managing your time is very important as it helps you to work and relax better. This PPT guides you through the best ways to study so that your time is effectively organised. |
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6. Boost your Thinking Skills with the TASC Wheel The TASC Wheel gives you a great way to organise your thinking. If you’re struggling with how to approach a big learning problem, give it a go! |
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7. Tips for Memorising This PPT guides you through the best tips to memorise something. This is a great skill that will help you in exams and in your life in general. There are some poems to try memorising, but of course, you can use the skills for memorising anything you like! |
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8. MENSA Games to Expand Your Mind Follow the links on this PPT to play a wide range of MENSA games – they’re very tricky and will really give your brain a workout! |
Year 8 Extended Project and Information Pack
Additional Questions
All documents are created in school and are securely stored. Any content uploaded to the document is checked beforehand and any irrelevant content has been removed. If you have any questions please read below, and if your question hasn’t been answered, then please reach out to Miss James, PHA Lead Teacher.
Do I need to have an active school account to access these resources?
No, all our resources are free to use for all students, providing you have the required software, discussed below.
How do I open these files?
To open Word and PowerPoint files you will need either: Microsoft Office 20xx (input version here, however it should really be no older than 2015); Microsoft Office 365 (Web and app versions are the best apps to open with); there are other 3rd party apps (not owned or created by Microsoft that will work fine with these, however please use at your own discretion)
PDF Documents can be opened in web browsers (such as Chrome and Edge) and also can be opened in dedicated apps such as: Adobe Acrobat and reader software, and other 3rd party software.
Any other document type not listed above, will have the information listed beforehand.
What is a PDF Document, and why are you not just using Word Documents?
A PDF (Portable Document Format) document is a document that is lightweight in nature, as it is compressed to a smaller file size, they also don’t rely on the software that created them, nor any operating system, and they will look the same no matter how one is opened.
Why are most of your documents uploaded as PDF’s and not word or PowerPoint documents?
A PDF typically is a compressed version of a PowerPoint or Word document and as such has a smaller file size, this means that it is quicker to download, takes up less space, and also, can be opened on web browsers meaning that you don’t actually need to download the file at all.
What devices can I use to access your resources?
Any device should be usable with our website, if you are having issues, or notice something that should be changed then please let us know.
How do I get to your resources?
Our resources are available on their own specific web pages, please click on the links under the “Resources” menu above, or click on an item in the drop-down list below and click on the link in each section.
External Resources
Parents
Please click on the following links to help parents support children who are PHA.
How might your child be stretched and challenged
What does it mean to be Gifted & Talented