High Performance Learning

High Performance Learning - Every Child Can

What is HPL?  HPL, or High Performance Learning, is a framework of teaching based on research into the way children learn. It reflects what is known about advanced thinking skills and learning behaviours to help all our children develop ‘better brains’. In short, we believe that Every Child Can.  

Research in neuroscience has shown many common characteristics of top performers across a variety of disciplines. These can be grouped into what we call Learning Muscles and Learning Behaviours 

• In the Learning Muscles group are characteristics such as meta-cognition, strategy-planning, generalisation, imagination, logical thinking, originality as well as the ability to use some skills automatically. HPL calls these “Advanced Cognitive Performance characteristics,” (ACPs). 
• In the Learning Behaviour group are characteristics such as empathy, confidence, mental agility, perseverance, practice and resilience. In HPL language these are our “Values, Attitudes and Attributes,” (VAAs). 

These skills can be taught to all pupils: the evidence is clear that there is not a fixed level of ability amongst young learners, and that the brain is much more malleable than was once thought.

How do we do this at Ewell Castle Prep School?  

At the Prep School, we have focused on learning characteristics and teaching children 'how to learn', for many years. With the help of HPL, our new approach has become more structured and helps progress throughout the Prep and Senior School. Our biggest focus is getting our children to believe that they can all perform to a high level. Our devoted teachers support children who currently have a fixed mindset to truly believe in the power of yet. We teach our children that making mistakes is a constructive part of learning and something that we continue to encounter throughout life.  

At the Prep School, our pupils are introduced to different characters and mascots who help their understanding of what it is to be a good learner. These characters make regular appearances through assemblies and other activities in the classroom and are also closely tied to our rewards system.  

All teaching staff at Ewell Castle are involved in the two-year professional development programme that will see the school become a High Performance School by the end of 2025. 

Brand New Ewell Castle Prep School Years 5 & 6 Skills Award 

At Ewell Castle Prep School we are passionate about developing pupil skills through a cognitive and values driven programme.  Our aim is to equip our pupils with the skills needed for 21st century work and life.  In additional to the high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom, we have launched a Ewell Castle Prep School Skills Certification to support our High Performance Learning Curriculum.  Throughout Years 5 and 6 our pupils will be challenged to demonstrate the key values that we expect of all our pupils; the Learning Muscles and Learning Behaviours.   The skills and behaviours that will be tested are: