ABSTRACT
For able pupils, there is an overwhelming range of challenging and stimulating activities outside the classroom that a good English department can either organise or draw to pupils’ attention. Such activities are invaluable because:
● they can be used to target the specific needs of pupils
● they provide opportunities to bring together pupils with similar interests
● in some cases, isolated very able pupils can work with pupils, like themselves, from other schools
● interests that can only be touched on in the classroom can sometimes be studied in depth
● pupils, who do not always work to their potential in the classroom, often reveal marked abilities in a different setting
● they can make what has been covered in the classroom appear more relevant.
