Preparation of Trainee Teachers for Teaching Able and Gifted Pupils in English Primary Schools: How Well Do Our ‘Standards’ Match Up?

Abstract

There are three incentives for developing this paper:

In England there is a new (or rather a renewed) focus on the educational needs of school pupils of high ability

We also have new standards and requirements in teacher education (‘initial teacher training’)

Teacher training in England does not have a strong evidence base on which to plan development. Courses may benefit from strengthening such an evidence base.

These factors have prompted this paper to examine some of the qualities and skills which, according to some key commentators, teachers need for effective teaching of able pupils within the ordinary classroom. It then compares these with the ‘competencies’ or standards which trainee teachers are required to achieve to become qualified teachers in England. It uses this comparison to propose some ways in which teacher training might be enhanced so that emerging teachers are better prepared to meet successfully the needs of able pupils in their mixed-ability classrooms.