Preparing All Students to Excel

At King’s College School, La Moraleja, we believe in every child's potential to excel. Our goal is to help each student discover their strengths and succeed across all areas. Therefore, we became Spain’s first High-Performance Learning (HPL) World Class School, implementing this successful, research-based methodology developed in the UK and used by top schools worldwide. The HPL methodology is globally recognised for producing outstanding student outcomes. 

Unlike programmes focused solely on gifted students, HPL is designed to help every child achieve the highest standards in academics and beyond, providing unrivalled growth opportunities for all, whether in academics, sports, or the arts.

Integrated into all aspects of our curriculum and extracurricular programmes from the early years onwards, HPL builds a strong mindset for future success—whether securing sports scholarships, playing on international teams, gaining entry to top universities, or pursuing competitive careers.

What Is High-Performance Learning?

High-Performance Learning (HPL) is a transformative approach that helps every child surpass limitations and reach their fullest academic and personal potential. At King’s La Moraleja, HPL is used to uncover and nurture each child’s unique talents, empowering them to achieve ambitious goals.

HPL makes achievement attainable for all by teaching the intelligence, qualities, and skills needed for success in academics and life—such as risk-taking, resilience, hard work, emotional regulation, self-belief, and decision-making. It emphasises persistence and leadership, equipping students to inspire themselves and others, therefore bringing them closer to their dream careers and lifelong success.

HPL also highlights the importance of key behaviours and values that enable students to perform at their best. Designed to align with our school’s vision and curriculum, it fosters a culture of ambition and excellent outcomes by gradually developing cognitive skills through subject-based learning and modern educational methods.

 

High-Performance Learning (HPL)

Benefits of the High-Performance Learning Approach

High-performance learning improves education and ensures high performance for the many, not the few. The HPL framework equips all students with the essential skills and mindset needed to excel. Universally adaptable, HPL is tailored to fit schools of any age and location. 

HPL teaches students how to develop greater intelligence. Through a unique teaching and learning framework, young minds can be systematically developed over time, equipping students for a successful academic, personal, and professional life. HPL provides a clear, manageable, and transparent framework to secure strong results. 

Using the HPL approach has significantly enhanced overall student outcomes at our school and raised expectations of what students can achieve. Furthermore, it encourages a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement across subjects, preparing our students to thrive academically and personally both now and in the future.

 

How is HPL different from a Gifted & Talented Programme?

Gifted and Talented programmes are typically offered only to a select few students who have been identified as ‘high ability.’ Students who are not identified in this group do not have access to this advanced learning material and are, in a sense, limited in the attainment they can reach. This approach fixes student competency into ‘gifted/talented’ versus ‘not gifted/talented’ groups.

However, contemporary research in neuroscience, psychology, and child development has shown that we can build cognitive competency and that our capabilities are not fixed. In an educational context, this means successful learners are made, not born. With High-Performance Learning, we systematically teach students the cognitive and behavioural skills that enable them to succeed and become high performers, embedding these into every aspect of our education from 20 months to 16 years. 

All our students have access to material that stretches and challenges their capabilities, pushing them to achieve highly. HPL empowers them to realise their full potential and enhance their unique talents, fostering confidence and success for all.

 

 

The Extraordinary Impact of HPL on Student Outcomes

Currently, the majority of our students already demonstrate the advanced competencies that enable high performance, a number that is increasing year on year. Since the beginning of the HPL programme, the school has observed a continuing trend of improved academic performance, with our students achieving outstanding IGCSE results, entering top universities, and excelling as professional athletes and artists.

Recent IGCSE results have been remarkable, with students excelling in subjects like Maths, Biology, and French over the years. Our results far exceed UK GCSE averages for both general and selective schools.These outcomes underscore our commitment to excellence and highlight the shared dedication within the La Moraleja community. 

Beyond academics, our students excel in various fields supported by the HPL mindset, values, and skills, including sports, visual, and performing arts.

How Is HPL Implemented at King's?

The HPL framework dismantles all barriers to effective learning, providing a rigorous, evidence-based mindset and environment where each child can flourish, setting them on a path towards excellence and fulfilment.

HPL is not just a programme to be followed; it is a comprehensive approach that integrates 30 generic competencies grouped into 8 sets across 5 levels, from novice to expert. These competencies are best developed through subject-based learning in the classroom, guided by skilled teachers. By embedding these competencies into our teaching DNA, we ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills for success in an ever-evolving world.

The HPL framework and philosophy underpins teaching and learning throughout the school, including the extracurricular and enrichment programmes.

Our rigorous British curriculum did not change when HPL was implemented, but this unique framework encourages learners to think about real-life applications of their knowledge and apply their developing skills to their studies. This prepares them for the complexities of the real world, where practical knowledge is paramount.

At the earliest stage, children are introduced to the key behavioural skills of HPL (empathy, hard-working, and agile) and develop these through classroom activities.

As children grow older, they will also develop HPL's cognitive skills (creating, analysing, linking, meta-thinking, realising) and learn how to use these to complete tasks. As students mature, and their familiarity with HPL's behavioural and cognitive skills grows, they will take more ownership of utilising them and, with greater independence, will be able to select which of the skills to apply to different situations.

At a practical level, we use progression grids for each behavioural and cognitive skill which show us how each competency will develop in a student over time. These progression grids serve as tools for our teachers to monitor and ensure continuous growth in students' understanding and utilisation of HPL cognitive and behavioural skills.

HPL

High-Performance Learning Accreditation

King's College School, La Moraleja was originally accredited as a High Performance Learning (HPL) school in May 2020, and successfully re-accredited in May 2023.

Learn more about HPL

Student Success Stories with HPL

The following accomplishments reflect the effect of high-performance learning, as well as the dedication and excellence that define our school community:

  1. A Year 7 student secured a scholarship at Apex2100 Academy in Tignes after winning at the British U14 Slalom Championships. 
  2. A Year 10 student represents the Hong Kong national football team
  3. A Year 11 student is studying to become a soprano, having performed at the FIBA World Cup gala
  4. A Year 13 alumna achieved five A* grades in her A Levels, a remarkable feat given that most students typically take 3 or 4 A Levels

Advanced Cognitive Performance

Values Attitudes and Attributes

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