You are here MA&T Programme Introduction

Our school has decided to implement a More Able & Talented Programme to provide the support, inspiration, encouragement and information learners need to help them maximise their gifts and talents, whatever they may be.

This is not a programme for the tiny percentage of our school population seen as exceptionally gifted but a programme which identifies the most capable pupils we have in each class and puts measures in place to meet their needs.

This programme will certainly cater for the academically bright pupils who need to be challenged but crucially it also includes those pupils who display talent in such areas as music, sports, singing, art, performing arts, leadership and display creative thinking. The school will work to ensure that it is a holistic and inclusive programme which helps to develop all talents and builds pupils’ self-esteem.

Flexibility and discretion will be used in deciding whether a pupil should be included in the More Able and Talented Programme. The school is aware that no identification strategy is perfect and also that diverse talents emerge at various ages and in different circumstances so we never regard a child’s potential as fixed.

How do we select pupils for the programme?
We employ a number of methods of identification of the more able & talented pupil:
Teacher nomination
Tests and assessments
Checklists
Educational psychologists
Parental nomination
Peer nomination

How will this programme be implemented?
The class teacher’s role in helping the more able and talented pupils to realise their potential is fundamental to the success of this programme. Class teachers will be supported by the More Able & Talented Co-ordinator but will rely on the support of the home to ensure success. Courses of study in class will be modified to meet the needs of the more able pupils.

Classroom programmes will:
allow for the learning of research skills at an early age;
allow for high intellectual skill development in analysing, synthesising and evaluating;
encourage divergent thinking;
make optimum use of materials and human resources;
individualise learning;
continuously evaluate pupil progress and programme effectiveness.
Programmes for more able and talented pupils will:
consider pupils’ interest;
match their learning style and rate;
be oriented to the process of thinking rather than to content

The school asks pupils & parents to sign up for the programme. Why?
By signing up for to the programme your child is making a commitment to try to reach his or her potential. The school also gives the commitment that we will do our very best to support him or her. Certain additional activities will be expected from the pupil. Any student who wishes to try them will certainly be encouraged but the more able and talented pupil is expected as a matter of course to undertake the activities and cannot opt out.

What kind of activities are these?
They will be varied and many: research, collaborative writing, creative writing, coding & cryptography, mind mapping, differentiated classroom work, taking part in competitions such as World Class Maths & World Maths Day, table quizzes, additional work at weekends (not traditional homework!), presentations at assembly, music performances on occasions such as concerts, meetings, church services etc (if appropriate), taking part in sports and other programmes targeted to meet the needs of the pupil.

Can my child opt out of the programme if he/she signs into it now?
The school is anxious that the decision to partake in the More Able & Talented Programme is not undertaken lightly. Pupils should know that the school expects them to strive to reach their potential. ‘Giving up’ should not be an option. The programme is designed to both challenge and excite the pupil and an element of fun is considered crucial.

Does this mean more homework?
It might sometimes, but certainly not more of the same! Occasionally this work may take longer or be spread over a number of days. For instance pupils in the senior classes will be taught computer programming. This project will ask pupils to do tasks which require trial and error. Invariably this type of ‘homework’ could take longer and may involve a visit to the local library if the pupil does not have a computer at home. Perhaps a pupil with a particular talent in art may be asked to complete a painting, this could take longer than usual. Perhaps a pupil with a talent for music may be asked to learn a piece in a relatively short time to perform in front of peers or guests and this may require longer practice than usual. But this work should be an enjoyable challenge and should not be considered a chore.

Will this mean less support for the less able pupils in the school?
No. We believe that provision for the more able child should not be made at the expense of other pupils. However, more able and talented pupils have additional educational needs and have as much right to provision as any other child.

Is a pupil with a learning disability excluded from the programme?
Absolutely not! The school is very aware that a learning disability such as dyslexia or a language difficulty may mask the pupil’s true potential.

Can pupils not identified in the more able & talented group take part in these activities?
Yes whenever possible. As already stated the school realises that diverse talents emerge at various ages and in different circumstances so we never regard a child’s potential as fixed. Many resources, challenges and competitions will be available to all our pupils as indeed is currently the case.