Able and Talented at Derby Moor Community Sports College

As part of the personalised learning agenda, defined in the recent Gilbert Review (2006), ‘teaching and learning in 2020 as a highly structured and responsive approach to each child and young person’s learning, in order that all are able to progress, achieve and participate’. DMCSC believes that new opportunities need to be created to stretch able and talented pupils. They, like all pupils, need to be treated as partners in their learning, with joint responsibility for participating in the design of their learning.

The development of Able and Talented provision at DMCSC is a valuable contribution to the delivery of the college’s mission statement which states a commitment to providing ‘an environment in which we can help everyone to flourish, to achieve and feel valued’.

What is Able and Talented?

At Derby Moor Community Sports College we recognise that Able and Talented pupils can be:

• ‘All-rounders’ who are very able in academic subjects and/or demonstrate particular abilities in Sports, Music, or the Arts.
• ‘High Achievers’ who are very able in one area or who show extremely high levels of achievement
• High ability pupils with poor written skills
• Underachieving pupils who have the potential to achieve but do not regularly demonstrate high achievement

Pupils who demonstrate outstanding ability in one or more features of multi-dimensional models of ability, such as Gardner’s Multi-intelligences approach.

How do we identify able and talented?

Pupils are identified initially through assessment data such as Key Stage Test results, teacher assessments as well as Curriculum Area nomination. These pupils will be included on departmental able and talented registers. Rate of progress measures will also be used including value added data such as Fisher Family Trust information.
The Able and Talented Register will consist of twelve to twenty six pupils per year group and will include pupils nominated by four or more subjects, talented in sports or the creative arts, in the top 5-10% of their year group in terms of ability.
These registers are confidential and information will not be given out to parents for data protection reasons.

How we provide for our able and talented pupils

A number of opportunities are available for our able and talented pupils at Derby Moor. These include:

• Setting in some subjects
• Opportunities for a student voice in learning
• Focus on learning to learn skills – independent thinking, problem solving, research skills and self understanding
• Fast track and early entry for GCSE subjects
• Extra enrichment and extension materials
• Enrichment/extension activities
• Differentiation in terms of pace, task, support, learning style outcome, resource, content and responsibility
• Opportunities for other accreditation e.g. Junior Sports Leadership Award (JSLA) for talented sports pupils
• Learning/challenge Logs
• Cross curricular projects
• Enrichment days, visits, outings, residential trips
• Out-of-school hours provision (including lunchtime clubs, homework clubs, special interest groups, after school, weekend and holiday clubs)
• Enrichment opportunities (e.g. external competitions, challenges or clubs)
• Summer schools for able and talented pupils
• Opportunity to join and participate in the Gifted and Talented Youth scheme
• Mentoring of talented pupils in PE/Sport (JAE) and Creative Arts (JTE)

Young, Gifted and Talented

This organisation has taken over from the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth. It is an online resource for able and talented youngsters to access more opportunities and support. Pupils have to meet certain criteria in order to gain membership. This information can be found on the website:
https://ygt.dcsf.gov.uk/

Contact Information

If you have any questions or queries then please contact the Able and Talented Manager, Miss Davies on 01332 772706 or alternatively email her at e.davies@derbymoor.derby.sch.uk.

How can parents help our able and talented pupils?

We recognise as a school the value of the contributions of parents and carers to their child’s education.

Support at Home

The following can enhance your child’s learning

• Providing an environment which is conducive to learning and enriching the learning that has taken place in school
• Ensuring that a child has access to resources to support their learning
• Encourage your child to develop a healthy balance between homework and extra-curricular activities
• Encourage and support your child, but do not pressurise them too much
• Communicate regularly with the school

Ideas for Parents to Try

• Visits to places of interest – art galleries, museums, theatres, concerts etc
• Make resources available – e.g. books, dvds/videos, magazine subscriptions
• Encourage your child to make use of local facilities available and attend extra curricular activities both at school and in the wider community
• Seek out professional associations and societies
• Explore the media – relevant internet sites, newspaper articles and television/radio programmes
• Invest in a specialist dictionary
• Use of magnetic poetry
• Puzzles and games such as sudoku and crosswords
• Look for opportunities which are different, challenging and enjoyable!