Orchard House Is Proudly Working Towards High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class School Accreditation
At Orchard House, we believe every child can thrive with the right support, challenge and opportunities. High Performance Learning (HPL) strengthens this belief and sits naturally alongside The Learning Orchard — our bespoke curriculum designed to nurture curious, confident and capable young people.
As we work towards HPL World Class School Accreditation, we continue to deepen our commitment to exceptional teaching and learning, ensuring every child is encouraged to aim high and grow in confidence.
What is HPL?
High Performance Learning is a research-based approach developed by Professor Deborah Eyre. It is built on the belief that high achievement is not fixed or reserved for a select few. With the right teaching, mindset and opportunities, every child can develop the skills and behaviours needed to succeed.
At Orchard House, we talk about performance rather than ability. In our classrooms, “I can’t do this” becomes “I can’t do this yet”. This language helps children build resilience, embrace challenge and develop a lifelong love of learning.
HPL at Orchard House
High Performance Learning provides a shared language for learning across the school. It helps children understand not only what they are learning, but how they learn best. At the heart of HPL are two key elements:
1. Values, Attitudes and Attributes (VAAs):
These focus on how children approach learning, for example resilience, empathy, hard work and open-mindedness
2. Advanced Cognitive Performance Characteristics (ACPs):
These focus on how children think, for example analysing, linking ideas and reflecting on their thinking.
These elements are not taught as separate lessons. They are woven throughout everyday teaching, classroom discussion and learning experiences across the school. Over time, children begin to recognise these behaviours in themselves and others, helping them become more reflective, independent and ambitious learners.
HPL complements the vision behind The Learning Orchard Curriculum: an ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum designed to prepare children for a changing world.
Together, they help us nurture pupils who are knowledgeable, inquisitive, adaptable and quietly confident — children who are ready not only to succeed academically, but to thrive beyond the classroom.
HPL in action:
