Extended Schools Services
Gifted and Talented
"Gifted and Talented" is a nationally recognised description which covers on average 10% of a school's population.
"Gifted" refers to those students who are likely to achieve top grades (A and A* at GCSE) and who will almost certainly go on to Higher Education with the right guidance. "Talented" can refer to any other high degree of skill or ability, usually in the fields of Expressive Arts, PE, Design and Tecnology.
Pupils are identified through a range of data (such as end of Key Stage tests, CATs and YELLIS scores) as well as staff assessment and parental consultation. The Enrichment Learning Coordinator works with teaching staff in all areas to ensure that our most able students are given sufficient challenges within the curriculum and through extra-curricular opportunities.
As part of the programme, students have attended University Masterclasses, worked with Higher Education professionals and benefited from resources and expertise which we could not hope to provide as a routine experience in school. Over the years, a few very lucky students have had the opportunity to attend a residential in Oxford, visitng the university and participating in specially designed activities.
Every year we offer talented Year 6 students from our feeder primary schools the opportunity to join Year 7 students at an Art Summer School which gives them the opportunity to sample a wide range of techniques whilemeeting Failsworth staff, Leaning Mentors and students.
In Year 11, the most gifted students are invited to attend the borough-wide Optimum project which aims to ensure that A Grades can be boosted to A* through a series of twilight sessions and a one-day conference.
In school, The Maths, Science and PE Clusters have given responsibility points to staff whose role it is to ensure a range of opportunities are provided through national programmes such as UK Maths Challenge and Girls in Science and Technology. Courses and conferences are offered for staff INSET, and each Cluster is expected to provide a representative to liaise with the Enrichment Cluster Manager. Clusters can bid for funds to support their enrichment adctivities : we have subsidised transport, paid for clarinet reeds and ice-cream-makers, enabled gifted students to take GCSE and even A Level modules early, all as part of our commitment to ensuring astudents have no unnecessary barriers to their progress.