Gifted and Talented – March 10
Entitlement not elitism
Nominations
In general, a ‘Gifted’ learner has abilities in one or more academic subjects, such as Maths and English. A ‘Talented’ learner has particular abilities in Sport, Music, Design or Creative or Performing Arts. Other qualities such as leadership, decision making and critical/creative thinking are also taken into account when identifying gifted and talented pupils.
Each department has their own criteria to nominate pupils in that subject. Subject nominations are found on the termly reports and this allows a regular update into which subject a pupil is excelling in. Pupils will then be offered enrichment opportunities in those subjects. This will also allow me and year teams to check progress and how pupils are working in lessons.
Parental Nominations and Guidance
If you would like to nominate your child as gifted or talented, please pick up a parental nomination form from the main reception. We have also developed a parental information leaflet, which provides advice and guidance on being the parent of a G and T pupil. If you would like one, ask your child to collect the leaflet from their year team office. Other information is found on the school website.
New ‘T’ Badges
If you child now has three or more different nominations on the same termly academic report, they can collect their T badge from their Progress Leader, Assistant Progress leader or myself.
G and T Careers and College Information – All year groups
We are working closely with Taunton’s and Itchen College to provide earlier and more detailed information about how to choose the right college and what it is like at college. We have ex-pupils who are currently at Taunton’s, coming in to take the sessions to all G and T pupils, where they can ask questions and find out more information. We are undertaking this in partnership with the connexions career department at school and they will also be leading further sessions on career aspirations and choosing the right options at school. More information will follow and if you have more ideas let me know.
Itchen’s College Gateway and Taunton’s College Challenge Day
Miss Larrett took 20 of the gifted and talented pupils in year 10 to Itchen sixth form College, in January. They experienced college life and the opportunities that the college can offer gifted and talented pupils on the Gateway programme.
Pupils will be offered a similar opportunity to take part in a challenge day at Taunton’s in the Summer term, more details to follow.
Year 7 G and T Introductory Evening.
The presentation to new parents was held on Monday 14th December. Pupils led the evening by giving short presenting about what it is like at school, homework learning tasks, summer school, Extended Education Plans and the trip to Woodmill in November. G and T Department Reps were also available to answer questions and show examples of G and T work.
The Young Gifted and Talented Academy
The DCSF has closed the Academy and the website no longer works. I will provide information about the replacement as soon as I get details.
Chess Club
Chess club is held at lunchtimes in the photography studio and all the equipment is supplied. We are about to start are own league as part of the National Schools Chess Championship. Anyone interested please come along and join in and or learn how to play.
Aimhigher Taster Session
The Aimhigher programme is designed to support schools and colleges to raise the aspirations and attainment levels of students from priority groups and thereby increase the number of young people progressing to further and higher education.
Throughout the year Aimhigher staff will visit the school on several occasions and present assemblies to all year groups. They will lead workshops for years 7, 9 and 10. Several taster sessions will also been attended by pupils throughout the year. Aimhigher also run summer schools for yr 10 and 11 at universities across England.
For further information go to
Other Activities
Each department are offering enrichment and extension activities. Please check out what specific departments are doing either in this newsletter, on the school website or by contacted the G and T Rep for that department. There is further information on the G and T Notice board outside room 503.
The Nace Challenge Award
The school is working towards the Challenge award, at present there are no secondary schools in Hampshire with the award. This is a framework that reflects on provision and is a whole school self evaluation tool, especially designed to raise standards for all. Visit
Congratulations again to all pupils that received nominations and or achieved a talented badge.
Hope you have a great summer.
Sharon Nineham
G and T Co-ordinator/leading teacher
