Gifted and Talented Students

What is the Able, Gifted and Talented Register?

As you may be aware, there is a requirement for all schools to maintain a register of those pupils who are particularly able in one or more curriculum subjects. In line with national guidance, our register of Able, Gifted and Talented students comprises the top 10% of the academic ability range of our school roll. This cohort has been identified using Key Stage 2 SAT scores, CAT test scores and Primary School nomination.

How do I know if my child is on it?

You will have been contacted by letter in the Autumn Term if your child is in Year 7, 8 or 9. This letter will also have included the Provision Menu found on this page in addition to an application pack for the ‘Young, Gifted and Talented’ network, (see below).

What happens if my child’s progress peaks or they move schools?

As all children develop and progress at different rates, the register is reviewed at the end of each academic year. At that time, a child may be added or removed from the register to ensure that it continues to reflect the top 10% of our school population. If a child transfers to a new school, they will not automatically be included on their register of Able, Gifted and Talented students.

What do we do to support Able, Gifted and Talented Students at The Gilberd School?

The majority of provision for high ability students at The Gilberd School is classroom-based. A rigorous programme of target-setting supports lessons that are designed to develop thinking skills as well as subject knowledge. This ensures that the education we provide is tailored to maximise the progress of our students.

Research shows that subject-focused extra-curricular enrichment activities also have an important role to play in raising the attainment and motivation of Able, Gifted and Talented students.

On this page you will find a menu of subject-focused enrichment activities for the current academic year. These activities are designed to stretch and challenge high ability students as well as motivate those students on the register who are not achieving their full potential. Whilst participation in most of these activities is open to all, many are tailored to meet the needs of our most able. Any student who would like to participate in the activities should speak to the relevant contact teacher.

What do I do if my child has a specific talent but is not on the register?

Our register comprises those students who are in the top 10% of the academic ability range. There will always be a number students who have specific talents that we do not necessarily know of (since they pursue their talents outside of school). In particular this is likely to include students with talents in the performing arts or sports. If your child has such a talent and you believe they should be included on our register of students with talents then please contact Mrs Clemson (Performing Arts Faculty) or Mr Orrin (PE Faculty) for a discussion. Both of these Curriculum Areas maintain their own Able, Gifted and Talented Registers and may be able to offer support to your child.

What support is available nationally?

There is a national programme known as Young, Gifted and Talented (Y, G&T) that you may wish your child to register with. This is a Department for Children, Schools and Families sponsored programme that aims to provide youngsters aged 4-19 with a wide range of opportunities and resources to support their academic and social development. Registration is optional and details of how to do so can be found on their website: www.ygt.dcsf.gov.uk

What extra-curricular provision can we offer your child?

Please note it is the responsibility of the student to approach the contact teacher. Students will be pre-selected for some activities based on relevant data and invited to participate by the contact member of staff. All activities will be publicised by the relevant faculty.

English Faculty

English Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level English teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Miss Jordan

Dates: Year round (Miss Jordan will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

Cine Club

Description: All aspects of film production

Contact: Miss McGrail

Dates: All year round, lunchtimes and after school

Target: Years 7-11

Student Newspaper

Description: All aspects of journalism (reporting, writing, editing, printing)

Contact: Mrs Jen Lee

Dates: All year round, lunchtimes and after school

Target: Years 7-11

Business and Professional Women (BPW) Public Speaking

Competition

Description: Interschool Public Speaking/debating competition

Contact: Mrs Baxter

Dates: Autumn Term 2008

Target: Year 11 (3 students)

English Speaking Union

Description: Interschool public speaking and debating competition

Contact: Mr Mitchell/Mrs Baxter

Dates: Autumn Term

Target: Year 10 and 11 (3 students)

Mathematics Faculty

Mathematics Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level Mathematics teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Year round (Mrs Massey will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

National Cipher Challenge

Description: Inter-school Mathematics competition

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Autumn Term 2008 (lunchtimes and after school)

Target: Years 7-11

Team Challenge

Description: Mathematics workshops in preparation for inter-school competition

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Autumn Term 2008: (lunchtimes and after school). Spring term: 1 Day competition at host school in south Essex (lesson withdrawal)

Target: Years 8 and 9. (Only 2 Year 8 and 2 Year 9 students will be selected for the Team Challenge day).

Edge Hill Challenge

Description: Inter-school mathematics competition

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Autumn and Spring term 2008 (after school)

Target: Year 9 students only

UK Intermediate Maths Challenge

Description: Interschool mathematics competition

Contact: Mrs Southgate

Dates: Autumn Term: Practice workshops lunch and/or after school. Spring Term: workshops continue until competition (1 day withdrawal from lessons)

Target: Years 9, 10 and 11

UK Junior Maths Challenge

Description: Interschool mathematics competition

Contact: Mrs Southgate

Dates: Spring Term: Practice workshops lunch/after school. Summer Term: Competition (1 hour lesson withdrawal)

Target: Years 6, 7 and 8

Team Challenge Day – University of Essex

Description: Interschool mathematics competition

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Summer Term

Target: 4 Year 10 students

Primary Outreach Workshop

Description: Mathematics Master Class

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Spring Term (1 day lesson withdrawal)

Target: Years 5, 7 and 8

Statistics Trip to DEFRA Office – London

Description: Field trip

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Spring Term

Target: Year 10 (small group)

Pink/Grey Kangaroo

Description: Interschool mathematics competition

Contact: Mrs Massey

Dates: Summer Term (1 hour lesson withdrawal)

Target: Years 9, 10 and 11

ICT

ICT Club

Description: Termly Projects (Web Design, Robotics, Multimedia)

Contact: Mrs Oldham

Dates: All year round, lunchtimes

Target: Years 7-9

ICT Student Leadership

Description: Developing leadership skills in supporting ICT activities

Contact: Mrs Oldham, Mr. Ross

Dates: All year round, lunchtimes

Target: Year 9-11

Science Faculty

Science Club

Description: Better than ‘Brainiac’!

Contact: Mr Moller, Mr Barney

Dates: Tuesdays 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Target: Year 7 and 8. All welcome

Humanities Faculty

Inter-school Geography Challenge

Description: Interschool Geography competition at Sixth Form College

Contact: Mr Auton

Dates: Summer Term

Target: Year 8 and 9 (2 teams of 3 students)

Geography Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level Geography teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Mr Auton

Dates: Year round (Mr Auton will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

Citizenship Foundation Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition

Description: Interschool law competition (involves public speaking, critical thinking and debating)

Contact: Mr Mitchell/Miss Taylor

Dates: Autumn/Spring term

Target: Year 8 and 9 (16 students in total)

History through Drama

Description: A series of theatre trips to watch productions with an historical theme

Contact: Mrs Houghton

Dates: Year round (Mrs Houghton will publicise trips at the relevant time)

Target: All year groups

History Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level History teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Mrs Houghton

Dates: Year round (Mrs Houghton will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

Modern Foreign Languages Faculty

Have Your Say Competition

Description: Interschool MFL public speaking competition

Contact: Miss Winter

Dates: Spring Term

Target: All year groups

French/German Exchange Programme

Description: International exchange programme

Contact: Miss Winter

Dates: Spring Term

Target: Year 9 and 10 students

Performing Arts Faculty

KS3 Art Club

Description: Club for talented artists

Contact: Miss Garnham

Dates: All year round: lunchtimes

Target: Years 7, 8 nad 9

KS3 Drama Club

Description: Club for student directors

Contact: Mr Orchard

Dates: All year round

Target: Years 7, 8 and 9

Drama Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level Drama teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Mr Orchard

Dates: Year round (Mr Orchard will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

Dance Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level Dance teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Miss Murphy

Dates: Year round (Miss Murphy will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

Dance Company

Description: Advanced dance and dance choreography

Contact: Miss Murphy

Dates: All year round

Target: All year groups

Music Master Classes

Description: Master Classes delivered by A-Level Music teachers at the Colchester Sixth Form College

Contact: Mrs Clemson

Dates: Year round (Mrs Clemson will publicise classes at the relevant time)

Target: KS4

Music Primary Master Class

Description: Primary Masterclass

Contact: Mrs S. Clemson

Dates: March 2009

Target: Years 6 – 10

Vocal Classes

Description: Advanced Vocals

Contact: Mrs S. Clemson

Dates: All year round

Target: 15 Year 10 and 11 students

Steel Band

Description: Steel Pan Ensemble

Contact: Mrs S. Clemson

Dates: Summer Term

Target: Year 7 and 8 boys

Physical Education

The PE Department at The Gilberd School runs a broad array of clubs and Master Classes for students wishing to develop their talent or who simply wish to participate. Please contact Mr Orrin for a separate menu of activities for 2008/2009.

Vocational (and Alt Ed) Faculty

Chartered Institute of Marketing – Marketing Master Class

Description: Master Class and Interschool Business Studies/Enterprise competition

Contact: Mr Muttit or Mrs Daci

Dates: Autumn Term

Target: Year 10 (12 students)

Essex Education Partnership Profitability Challenge

Description: Interschool Business Studies/Enterprise competition

Contact: Mr Muttit or Miss Elliman

Dates: Summer Term

Target: Year 9 (8 students)

Non-Faculty Provision

Rotary Youth Speaks Intermediate and Senior Heats

Description: Interschool competition

Contact: Mr Mitchell

Dates: Autumn Term

Target: All year groups (6 from 7, 8 and 9. 6 from 10 and 11)

Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge

Description: Master Class and Interschool public speaking competition

Contact: Mr Mitchell

Dates: Spring and Summer Term

Target: Year 10 (50 students). 2 students will represent the school in the East Essex finals

Aimhigher Programme

Description: A programme of externally run enrichment activities to raise the aspiration of able underachievers

Contact: Mr Mitchell

Dates: All year round

Target: All year groups. Student participation is via selection from a target cohort determined by Aimhigher criteria.

Business and E-mentoring programme

Description: A programme of personal and e-mentoring for students requiring additional guidance with academic and organisational skills

Contact: Mr Mitchell, Miss Chase or Mr Jeffery

Dates: All year round

Target: Years 10 & 11

Learning Performance Study Skills Seminars

Description: 1 day study skills seminars aimed at A and A* students

Contact: Mr Mitchell (students will be selected via attainment target data)

Dates: Once per year – Spring Term

Target: Years 10 & 11

If you have any other questions regarding provision for Able, Gifted and Talented students at The Gilberd School then please do not hesitate to contact me on 01206 842211 .

James Mitchell

Assistant Headteacher and Lead Teacher for

Able, Gifted and Talented students