It is especially important that QE’s learning strategy makes a difference to all our students – differentiation and challenge are at its heart.
The DFeS defines 'gifted student' "as those pupils who achieve, or have the ability to achieve, at a level significantly in advance of the average for their year group in school".
And “ talented” students as displaying a particular talent or ability in PE, Art, Drama or Music.
However, As Vicki Watts (dance artist and lecturer) points out, this distinction seems both arbitrary and unfair – downgrading the performing or expressive arts.
“Strength, flexibility, co-ordination and rhythm may be inherent in a talented dancer but it takes a self-critical intelligence to incorporate feedback into improved technique and expressiveness” (GT Update: Sept 2003).
Therefore we would like to replace the “gifted and talented” tag with a notion of students who display exceptional intelligence in one/more of the following categories:-
• Intellectual (linguistic, mathematical)
• Creative (scientific, technical)
• Artistic (art, music, drama)
• Practical (technological and ‘hands on’)
• Physical (sports, dance, movement)
• Social (personal and interpersonal, emotional)
Very able students are those who have recorded outstanding ability in a range of National Curriculum subjects (at least two).
Early indications of this wide ability will be revealed by a combination of SATs scores (Key Stage 2) – at least Level 5; NFER CATs scores of 129 or above in any battery; GCSE capped point score from best 8 subjects of 428 or above (where A* = 58 points, A = 52 etc)
Staff, students, parents and carers will be involved in identifying talented students, the strategies used include:
a) Identification by teachers / others (TAs/ Learning Mentor/ Ed. Psychologists) using professional judgements, class work and test results.
b) Information from parents or carers.
c) Identification by Primary School, previous teacher external agency or organization.
d) Discussions with students: a developing peer nomination system.
For very able students, the strategies include.
a) Analysis of Key Stage 2 results / Primary Record of Achievement.
b) Analysis of CATs results
c) Individual subject nominations (up to 5% of year group in each NC subjects).
All students identified as “talented” or “very able” are listed on the school Information Management System SIMS.net. This is available to all staff.
The parent or carer is consulted before the students’ name is placed on the register.
The register is reviewed twice a year at a departmental or mentor meeting and the progress of each student towards individual targets will be evaluated. If a student is not reaching their full potential, or has achieved the set targets, new arrangements and where necessary, new targets will be set.
The co-ordination and review of individual targets and programmes is directed by the Intervention Centre (Key Stage 3) and the Learning Support Service (Key Stage 4).
We recognise that it is important for talented and able students to work at an appropriate pace and in a variety of settings.
Some of our talented or able students group concepts quickly and are ready to move to the next or more demanding work, at times they may also require more time than others to complete work to their own satisfaction. Not all of our talented students will be good at all subjects and this may mean that some talented students will work in different ability groups for different subjects (eg: ‘push’ group for English but foundation group for Maths).
As appropriate, teachers provide differentiated activities and a range of support and resources for talented and able students. This may include extension activities that are more demanding of their abilities or enrichment activities that provide new and different ways of working.
Note: Not all talented students will be high achievers
In general terms, departments will meet the needs of very able and talented students by providing challenging tasks that stretch them intellectually.
At QE we provide a wide variety of enrichment and out of school activities, especially for those students with creative, artistic or physical talents.
In addition, we provide extension classes and various workshops appropriate to the Key Stage.
Many students, with the support of parents or carers, will benefit from other out of school activities. This may be visiting places of historic, scientific or artistic interest, libraries and hands on centres. They will also benefit enormously from activities organized by other groups such as museum workshops, practical sessions in art galleries, becoming members of local sporting or drama groups or joining the scouts or guides.
Last updated: 22 May 2012
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