At Bishopslea we believe “that every child has the fundamental right to be judged on their individual merits and to be given an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.” Rick Crook

 

In the light of that belief we are delighted to elaborate on the new ‘Enhanced Learning Program’ that became part of our core offering with effect from the 2nd Term 2016.

 

As of January 2017, the ELP program now includes a Grade 6 class and boys have also been accommodated. However, there are limited places available as the maximum class size is 10 pupils per class.

 

To make this ELP possible we have converted part of our hostel into 5, purpose designed classrooms for each of Grades 3-7. This ensures we have the right teachers in the right place supporting individual children throughout the school.

 

The Enhanced Learning Program (ELP) is distinctive and primarily focused on pupils who have above average intelligence but often struggle with Dyslexia or ADD/ ADHD and thus would benefit from a more targeted and differentiated lesson delivery.

 

We are excited to be pioneering targeted differentiated learning in our school. Indeed, this program is unique in that Bishopslea is the first preparatory school in the world, as far as can be ascertained, to provide classes specifically for Dyslexic and/or ADD/ADHD pupils who have great potential but are not achieving in their main stream classes.

 

Pupils selected for the ELP follow the same curriculum but benefit from different teaching techniques, relevant assessment programs and the increased individual attention that helps pupils overcome some of these barriers to learning.

 

Pupils who are identified as possible candidates for the ELP classes are firstly assessed by an Educational Psychologist. All the Educational Psychologists in Harare are familiar with the ELP program and have been involved with the setting up of it. As such they are in a position to recommend the pupils who will benefit most from it.

 

It is hoped that the knowledge and information gained from these classes will influence educational thinking with regards to how these pupils are taught, wherever they are, in the future.