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TRADITIONALLY the most gifted pupils and those who struggle in class have commanded the attention of teachers.

And those pupils have found themselves being "rewarded" by having extra work tailored to help them excel in school or find nonacademic success - with the majority left out.

But that is changing, and schools in Bolton are ensuring those who fall in the "middle of the class" are not forgotten.

John Porteous, headteacher of Turton School, Bromley Cross, said: "It is easy to forget them, because they do get on with their work and don't necessarily demand attention.

"But they need attention to motivate them as well.

"They will get their five or more GCSE A* to C grades, but they may need that extra boost to push up their grade from a C to a B."

Now the school is including those pupils in their "intervention strategy"

to ensure they reach their full potential during their school life.

Currently, such pupils who are studying for their GCSEs attend special homework clubs where they spend Wednesday evenings in revision sessions at The Green Bengal in Darwen Road before tucking into a free curry.

Recently, a group of 10 Year 11 pupils from the school were invited to take a week out of school to enjoy an educational activity holiday in the Lake District. The week-long activity was funded from a government grant.

The youngsters took part in archery, fell walking and rock climbing before going back to their hostel to write up a report on their day.

Christian Pendergast, aged 16, said: "It was good being out of school. It was hard work, but motivational, and all children should be given the same attention."

Jonathan Corless, aged 16, added: "Every child is equal and should be treated the same. We all need motivating, so the break was good."

Maths teacher Ben Davies, who accompanied the children on the trip, said: "The activity was designed to motivate the pupils to enable to push themselves and set themselves targets and know how to work to achieve them.

"Every day the pupils would set themselves a target, which could be forcing themselves to take up a challenge to mingle with different people.

"Skills such as that can be brought back into the classroom."

He said the pupils' confidence improved and self-esteem was raised.

As well as extra-curricular activities, the school is also drawing up plans to ensure such pupils receive the same monitoring so that they do not simply "plod" along and are given a boost when needed.

Darrielle Hart, aged 16, said: "What I got out of it was setting myself targets and working to achieve them.

It was a boost."

Becky James, aged 15, added: "We learned so much, including being able to study independently and time management. It was good to have the attention."

8:44am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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