Why is Learning Enhancement Needed in a High-Achieving School?
22 September 2025 - Academic
Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. -Albert Einstein
Does every pupil in a high-achieving school climb a tree without encountering difficulties? Even in top-performing schools, such as Wycombe Abbey, pupils have diverse needs, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia and developmental coordination disorder (DCD), formerly known as dyspraxia, to name a few.
The term ‘neurodiversity’, coined in the late 1990s by sociologist Judy Singer, advocates that neurodiversity is not a flaw, but a different way of thinking. This is where Learning Enhancement takes centre stage, by not only advocating neuroinclusivity but also endeavouring to equip the neurodivergent high-achieving pupil with a survival toolkit; a metacognitive mindset and strategies to enhance a pupil’s strengths and manage areas of development. This process requires tuning into a pupil’s cognitive profile and listening to her perspective. Who better to explain what goes on in her brain than the pupil herself? She may not fully understand her brain yet, but we, collectively at Wycombe Abbey, endeavour to develop her metacognition; the more aware she is of her own learning processes and strategies, the more likely she is to minimise her barriers and build on her strengths.
The neurodivergent girl requires personalised guidance, developed through the collaboration of various members of staff. It is a marriage of knowledge between the SEN teacher, an expert in their field, the teacher, an expert in their subject and the secondary pupil, a developing expert of her brain. Learning Enhancement goes beyond accommodating difference; it actively seeks to understand and celebrate the unique strengths and challenges each pupil brings to the classroom. It advocates that education is not forcing a fish to climb a tree, but recognising the power of the way it swims. It is about enabling a child with the knowledge to unravel the way their brain functions and to recognise the power it has.
Every child, whether neurodivergent or not, learns differently, and we are here to help. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your daughter, our Learning Enhancement team is available to offer advice and guidance.
Mrs Anastacia Johnson
Learning Enhancement Teacher and Specialist Assessor
Email the Head of Learning Enhancement
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