Gifted and Talented Policy

 

 

Philosophy and Aims

 

This policy is a statement of the entitlement of students with higher ability at this school. The policy now reflects the commitment of the school to support the more able child.
 

IBSB believes that the social and emotional growth of Gifted and Talented students should be encouraged alongside the development of academic and practical potential.It seeks to be inclusive in its approach and sensitive to the potential impact of labeling a group of students as Gifted and Talented. In the pursuit of school-wide excellence the school aims to provide opportunities for all its students to reveal, display and extend their abilities.
 

IBSB believes that supporting the needs of Gifted and Talented students is a factor in raising the achievements for all. It believes in providing appropriate challenges within the broad and balanced curriculum of the school.

 

We aim to:

  • Support the abilities, personal qualities and talents of all students
  • To ensure that all students receive an education appropriate to their abilities
  • To provide teaching which makes learning challenging and enjoyable
  • To provide higher order thinking and questioning skills
  • To recognise under-achievement and seek to remove it
  • To stimulate students through extra-curricular activities and through enrichment
  • To have the expectation that the curriculum for all will be extended appropriately
  • To compile a Gifted and Talented register

 

Definition of Gifted and Talented

 

Gifted refers to students who achieve or have the ability to achieve at a level significantly in advance of their year group within the school, in one or more subjects in the curriculum. Talented refers to students who have this ability or potential in art, music, PE and creative arts.

 

Identification Strategies

 

Students are tested by means of national tests and assessments throughout the school year. In addition the following methods will be used:

 

  • Teacher observation and assessment
  • Reading assessments (e.g. HRT & NARA) (Primary School)
  • Non Verbal Reasoning Tests
  • Varied psychological tests administered by the school’s educational psychologist.
  • Cambridgeexams and SATs scores.

 

No one single method can be entirely accurate. The school will seek to provide an enriched curriculum for all students. Through this it will be possible to identify the most able.
 

The school will seek to further provide.

 

PROVIDE—IDENTIFY—PROVIDE

 

Class Work

 

Enrichment/extension work is provided by all teachers in all classes as part of normal differentiated provision. This is shown on planning documents. Working with others of like ability is important. This can be made possible by group work, or by the use of setting. Differentiation should provide activities requiring higher order thinking skills. Gifted students need to be challenged. The role of the teacher is vital in challenging the thinking of the gifted student.

 

Fast Tracking Secondary Students

 

Students of higher ability in certain subjects will have the opportunity to sit IGCSE/ A’ Level exams a year early. This will enable them to access a wider range of subjects and gain as many qualifications as possible.

 

Extra-Curricular Activities

 

These are highly valued for the gifted and talented student and include:
 

  • Club activities- curriculum subjects, plus chess, creative arts, sports etc.
  • Challenge Days
  • The use of specialists e.g. visiting authors and artists
  • A broad, creative curriculum, giving students a chance to thrive.
  • Extra provision through weekly sessions run by teachers who volunteer their time

 

 

Co-ordinating and Monitoring

The following people can support this through regular reviews:

 

  1. Head of Schools
     
  2. Gifted and Talented Co-ordinators (Primary/Secondary)

 

A G&T Individual Education Plan will be completed by G&T Co-ordinators, parents and form teachers.

 

Review and Development

 

Each year the school will draw up a register of able students in each year group. The Senior Management Team in its meetings will keep this list under review.

 

Partnership with Parents

 

Parents and teachers will work together for the needs of the gifted and talented student. We aim to provide parents with information that outlines how, as a school, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that will challenge and inspire those identified as Able, Gifted and Talented.

 

School Links

 

The school will liaise with local secondary and primary schools to provide opportunities for gifted and talented students.

 

 

ISBS has developed 10 principles of good practice for schools.

 

  1. Flexibility in meeting needs.
  2. Valuing diversity, dealing with underachievement.
  3. A partnership with students and parents.
  4. The leadership of the Head of Schools and Senior Team.
  5. Regular observation and review with early and prompt intervention.
  6. High teacher expectations.
  7. Positive attitudes by teachers who are prepared to “go the extra mile”.
  8. Close primary/secondary liaison.
  9. Good use of external resources.
  10. The absence of labels, working to the students’ strengths.

 

 

 

 

“Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education”


Martin Luther King, Jr.