Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented (G&T) students are those who have the potential to become the social, political and economic leaders of the next generation. As part of our commitment to 'excellence for all' we have an extensive and highly developed programme for G&T students.

What is Gifted and Talented?

We work within the DCSF definition of G&T students representing the top 10% of their age cohort nationally.

• Gifted is defined as being highly able academically.
• Talented is defined as being of high ability in practical subject areas such as sport, drama, art, technology etc.

We aim to identify students in a variety of different ways including:

• Use of data.
• Regular identification by subject departments of G&T students in their subject.
• Regular identification by teachers offering enrichment activities where there may be G&T students.
• The provision of a variety of teaching and learning opportunities.

We record and distribute identification lists to staff in order to further provide for the needs of the gifted and talented students, and keep this information on the school's data system. These lists are reviewed annually and aim to be open to potential that may not be obvious. Provision with School is audited using the DCFS Institutional Quality Standards and Classroom Quality Standards.

Students are encouraged to join the Young Gifted and Talented Programme (YGT). This is a government supported institution which offers a range of opportunities outside the school. YGT offers a website where parents, teachers, and pupils can explore many G&T issues, and enrichment opportunities.

Provision

• We aim to ensure that schemes of work include provision for the very able, including extension activity, independent study, and open ended lines of enquiry based on higher order thinking skills.
• We aim to ensure that lesson planning takes account of the need for challenge and a variety of learning strategies
• We enrich the curriculum through activities including trips, visits, fieldwork, conferences, masterclasses, summer schools and enterprise and work related learning.
• We aim to make best use of new technologies to enhance learning and autonomy.
• We aim to support personalised learning by building flexible pathways into the curriculum.
• We use the Classroom Quality Standards to support and train staff in meeting the needs of the gifted and talented.

Assessment

• We aim to ensure that assessment policies reflect progression routes within subjects and are shared with the students.
• We ensure assessment procedures allow sufficient challenge and reward for even the exceptionally able.
• We aim to engage students in evaluating their performance against targets related to clear criteria.
• We aim to enable students to take responsibility for their progress through assessment for learning.