Policy for Gifted and Talented Pupils

Teacher Responsible: Mrs. J. Ayres
Governor Responsible: Mrs. A. Field
Last ratified by governing body 18 October 2004

Introduction
Implicit within this policy is the recognition that developing effective provision for more able pupils is not elitist nor should it be deemed to be divisive. It is fundamentally an entitlement and an equality of opportunity for our most able children to reach their full potential, raise their aspirations and maximize their talents.

Rationale

We realize that the term ‘Special Educational Needs’ covers a wide range of abilities including gifted and talented pupils.
We recognise that not all gifted and talented learners are obvious achievers. To enable this diverse group of children to fulfil their potential it is vital to give everyone the opportunity to excel.
As is stated in our policy for SEN we aim to
• Identify the special educational needs of individual children and provide for those needs.
• Encourage all teachers to update and increase their knowledge of SEN issues.

This policy will be used in developing, reviewing and improving our provision for gifted and talented pupils.

Aims

Our aim is to make education an enjoyable, challenging, exciting and worthwhile experience for able and talented children.
We seek:
1. To provide equality of opportunity for all children to realise their potential
2. To promote the fact that able and talented children have particular educational needs that have to be met in order to reach their full potential.
3. To encourage a distinctive and differentiated educational provision in the classroom through curriculum extension, enrichment and through curriculum structures and organisation
4. To encourage a broad balanced and appropriate curriculum for able and talented children
5. To encourage commitment to the personal, pastoral, social and intellectual needs of the whole child

What the school aims to provide for able pupils, e.g. :
- entitlement to appropriate education
- work at higher cognitive levels
- opportunities to develop specific skills or talents
- a concern for the whole child, social and intellectual

Definitions of Gifted Children

We define Gifted and Talented pupils as those children who maybe or could be working at a significantly higher level than their peers in one or more curriculum areas.
As this is a difficult area we need to keep an open mind about who might be included in this group (there are no foolproof methods of identification, although the checklist at the end of this policy may be useful).

Indicators of Gifted and Talented Children

Generally speaking within the primary phase more able pupils are characterised by the following indicators:
• Reads very early
• Asks many astute question
• Talks in more complex sentences
• Mature but not always
• Creative abstract thinking
However there are a number of characteristics which are commonly exhibited by very able pupils and which helps schools to identify them.
General
• Has at least one area of outstanding achievement or intense interest
• Pursues a hobby or hobbies to a very high degree of expertise
• Perseveres and concentrates on independent work which captures his or her interest
• Displays early reading proficiency
• Relates well and maturely to adults
• Displays high mathematical ability
• Is reluctant to write at length despite having extensive knowledge of the subject at hand
• Shows little attention but still produces adequate work

Provision

Once a child has been identified as being in this category the schools SEN policy procedure will be implemented. This may include:
School Provision
• Broadening the curriculum
• Working with older pupils when appropriate
• Mentoring, collaboration with outside agencies

In lessons
• Enrichment/extension
• Working with other/others of like ability
• Differentiation
• Challenge within subject areas
• Differentiation homework

Out of Class Provision
• Musical, artistic, dramatic and sporting opportunities

Resources
Are kept in individual classes

Monitoring and Evaluation
As for SEN procedures

Transfer and Transition
As for SEN procedures