Science is usually taught in topics or contexts, so there is usually information that will be new to gifted pupils and will interest and engage them. They:

• will be quick to learn new facts
• may not need the same amount of reinforcement as other pupils
• will be able to apply higher-order thinking skills within similar contexts.

It is vital to enrich and extend the curriculum for pupils who are gifted in science by using a variety of methods, depending on the context. For example:

• sharing and encouraging pupils' curiosity, allowing them to speculate without necessarily needing the correct answer
• applying a higher level of skill to a common question or problem to be solved by the whole class
• enriching and extending their breadth of knowledge by drawing on information that goes beyond that provided for most pupils, including going beyond the national curriculum
• accelerating pupils through a particular stage in the national curriculum
• giving pupils access to more demanding texts or ICT-based information for research
• occasionally giving pupils the chance to modify an investigation to make it more challenging
• challenging pupils to provide explanations and connections, as well as information
• encouraging them to take part in activities outside the school and allowing them to take some responsibility for organising such activities
• encouraging pupils to go to local science lectures or similar events
• encouraging them to carry out further investigative work at home, if necessary by providing simple equipment and materials (with due regard to safety).

Enriching and extending the curriculum can be a way of avoiding accelerating pupils into the next year in order to maintain the challenge.

Managing provision in the general guidance

Matching teaching to pupils' needs in the general guidance