Challenge for All

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School Achieves the NACE Challenge Award 

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School is proud to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious NACE Challenge Award, becoming the 500th school to achieve this recognition. The award celebrates schools where challenge is woven into every aspect of learning, where all pupils, not only the most able, are inspired and supported to reach their full potential. 

The National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) visited RPPS in September to assess our provision for high potential learners. The assessor observed lessons, met with pupils, staff, parents and governors, and reviewed extensive evidence of teaching and learning across the school.

The resulting report praised the school’s “deep and proactive commitment to ensuring all pupils are supported and challenged to reach their full potential,” describing RPPS as a community where “challenge is not viewed as an add-on but as the core of every lesson.” 

A culture of aspiration and curiosity 

At RPPS, we believe that learning should be both enjoyable and challenging. Our aim is to cultivate curiosity, creativity and resilience in every child, helping them to develop confidence in their ideas and independence in their thinking. The NACE assessor highlighted the impact of this ethos, noting pupils’ exemplary attitudes to learning and their “growth mindset, resilience, and eagerness to take on new challenges.” 

Challenge for All at RPPS is not about accelerating through the curriculum or piling on pressure on our learners; it is about depth, encouraging children to question, reflect and think more deeply about their learning. Our teachers plan lessons that invite exploration and discovery, adapting tasks so that each pupil is stretched and supported at the right level. As the report noted, pupils are regularly encouraged to “think harder” and “go beyond” in every subject. 

Teaching that inspires and empowers 

The visit confirmed that challenge is embedded across all areas of the curriculum. Pupils were observed confidently using subject-specific vocabulary, experimenting with techniques and applying critical thinking skills. The report also highlighted how technology is used creatively to extend and enrich learning experiences. 

Our staff were commended for their enthusiasm and professionalism, and for working collaboratively to share best practice. The assessor described RPPS as a school where “teachers feel supported and inspired by clear expectations and a strong climate of trust and shared purpose.” This culture of professional curiosity ensures that our teaching continually evolves, informed by research, reflection and collaboration. 

Inclusive excellence 

One of the most affirming aspects of the NACE report was the recognition of RPPS’s inclusive ethos. This follows on from our inspection report in 2024 in which we were awarded a significant strength for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We are committed to ensuring that every child, whatever their starting point, is challenged to achieve their very best. The assessor praised our case study of an exceptionally able pupil as “a proactive, evidence-based approach” that exemplifies our dedication to nurturing talent while maintaining inclusivity. 

Looking ahead 

Achieving the NACE Challenge Award is both a celebration of our current practice and a springboard for future growth and development. We are proud of the culture of challenge and aspiration that runs through our school, but we are equally excited about what comes next. Building on this success, we will continue to develop our innovative approach to the curriculum, deepen the professional learning of our staff, and incorporate pupil voice as we strive for continuous improvement. 

We are immensely proud of this achievement and of the whole RPPS community whose enthusiasm, commitment and belief in every child’s potential made this possible. 

At Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School, “Challenge for All” is not simply a phrase that we use; it is part of our whole school learning culture that ensures every pupil is inspired, stretched and supported to be the very best they can be.