ABSTRACT
Every pupil, whatever their ability, is unique and has great potential. There is no typical pupil . . . no typical able pupil. Able pupils, like all pupils, show huge variations in personality, attitude, behaviour, and the nature of their attainment (and at times, underachievement). Their needs are individual. It is important for all school communities to acknowledge that more able pupils are to be found in all cultural groups, in all economic groups and across all areas of human endeavour. Definition and identification are not the central purpose of a school’s work in this area. It is the provision made by a school to meet the needs of these pupils which maximises their life opportunities and minimises the chances of underachievement.
