Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School in Mill Hill has achieved its second National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) Challenge Award, which recognises its nurture of more able learners.

NACE chief executive Rob Lightfoot said: “Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School has worked hard to attain re-accreditation through the NACE Challenge Award. It has displayed a continued commitment to develop an environment in which all learners are challenged and supported to be the best they can be.”

NACE’s Challenge Framework sets out criteria for high-quality provision for more able learners within a wider ethos of challenge for all pupils.

To attain the award, schools must complete a detailed self-evaluation based on the framework, submit a portfolio of supporting evidence and be assessed by a NACE associate.

NACE’s assessor reported that the Orthodox primary had “created an ethos of high expectations alongside an enjoyment of learning, whilst seeking out and celebrating all pupils’ achievements and strengths including those of the ‘more able’.”

Headteacher Hannah Martin, said: “I am firm believer that every child in our school should be pushed to improve and develop themselves, based on their own individual abilities. Teachers are encouraged to adapt work as much as possible.

“This way pupils who may find it harder to grasp a topic are not given unrealistic, demoralising expectations, and those more able to pick learning up quicker are not left to cruise along too comfortably without being pushed."