School Advice Sheets - Social and Emotional Needs of High Potential Learners

closeup of teenagers hands expressing anxiety

Discover asynchronous development (a combination of advanced ability in some areas and age or below age ability in others); perfectionism; wellbeing; and transitioning to secondary school, in relation to high potential learners.  Potential Plus UK’s advice sheets for schools offer information about good practice regarding children with high learning potential; helping schools and academies provide well for them academically, socially and emotionally.

School Members can access all of our advice sheets and download them free of charge by logging in. The School Advice Sheets are available to non-members to purchase and download at £3.60 each.

See our School Advice Sheets Page for more advice sheets on subjects such as: identification of high potential learners, classroom practice, dual or multiple exceptionality.

S501 – Social and Emotional Needs of High Potential Learners

Educating happy, well-rounded and successful learners is important for every teacher. As social and emotional issues can appear frequently among high potential learners, this advice sheet looks at the cause of these and offers some advice on dealing with them in the classroom. This advice sheet is aimed at lead teachers and class teachers so that they are aware of and can understand the particular social and emotional needs of high potential learners.

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S502 – Asynchronous Development in High Potential Learners

Asynchronous development, whereby a learner appears to be ‘wise beyond their years’ but in many ways is still very immature, has been described as the defining characteristic of exceptionally high potential learners. This advice sheet explores the issues relating to asynchronous development in high potential learners and provides useful strategies and guidance to teachers on how to support learners who are developing asynchronously.

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S503 – Perfectionism and High Potential Learners

Perfectionism and the fear of failure are common traits among high potential learners that can impact negatively on their education and prevent them from reaching their potential. This advice sheet focuses on how teachers can help high potential learners overcome perfectionism, the fear of failure and how to encourage them to attempt more challenging tasks.

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S505 – Wellbeing and High Potential Learners

The wellbeing of high potential learners can be affected by a number of issues, beyond those exclusively concerning their education. It is, therefore, important to take a holistic approach to supporting the wellbeing of such learners. This advice sheet is aimed at teachers, classroom staff and high learning potential lead teachers. It explores the different ways in which a high potential learner’s wellbeing may be affected, as well as how to support them.

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S506 – Transition to Secondary School

Transition into secondary school can be both daunting and exciting for many learners. High potential learners can be particularly sensitive to this change, so extra care should be taken to ensure that the practical and emotional needs of these learners are understood and met. This advice sheet, aimed at lead teachers and school leaders, will help with preparations for the arrival of high potential learners and enable schools to meet their needs with confidence.

Purchase and Download the School Advice Sheet Transition to Secondary School »

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