GIFTED AND TALENTED POLICY
RATIONALE AND DEFINITION.
The context for the school to develop a policy on making provision for gifted and talented students was the 2002 OFSTED inspection that highlighted a need to ‘challenge’ the more able in KS3. At the same time the ESF placed it on their Development Plan. The subsequent ESF Gifted and Talented Curriculum group has stated that
“All students have the right to access a comprehensive curriculum that provides relevant and worthwhile educational programmes, that acknowledges differences in pace and learning styles and that enables them to participate, learn and experience success. The ESF recognises the need to offer and deliver a differentiated curriculum that enables gifted students to achieve their full potential and, at the same time, provide for their social and emotional needs”.
It went on to define gifted and talented students.
“Gifted and talented students are those who have the potential to excel (gift) or who demonstrate outstanding ability (talent) in one or more domain. These domains may include
• Intellectual
• Creative
• Socioaffective
• Sensorimotor
These students require differentiated curriculum, interventions and/or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school programme”.
Island School policy is to use this rationale and definition to identify and challenge gifted and talented students in a way that can also increase opportunities for all students. The Vice Principal (Curriculum) and the Head of Individual Needs are responsible for its implementation and evaluation.