Gifted and Talented
Education is our Future
Gifted and Talented Provision
in Bexley Schools
Schools and Parents working together
Gifted and Talented provision in Bexley aims to support the more able
in all infant, junior, primary and secondary schools.
The Department of Education definition of Gifted and Talented is “the
5-10% of pupils in each school who are achieving or have the potential
to achieve, significantly in advance of their year group in their school.”
Many schools have a broader definition of “Gifted and Talented”
and will identify more than 5-10% and some may use the term “more
able.”
Some children will be gifted and talented academically in all subjects
or in just one. Others may show talent in sport, art, music or drama.
 Gifted and Talented pupils will typically demonstrate
a range of the following:
- Possess extensive general knowledge
- Be exceptionally curious and ask questions, often unlike other children’s
questions
- Read rapidly and retain and understand what is read
- See and solve problems quickly and take the initiative
- Be able to learn and memorise concepts quickly
- Be able to engage in logic and problem solving activities positively
and confidently
- Be able to work independently
- Be capable of being inventive
- Be able to persevere when working
- Be a high achiever
- Be in possession of one or more creative skills
All schools are encouraged to have a Gifted and Talented policy outlining
the provision that the school will make for their Gifted and Talented pupils.
Most Bexley schools will have a member of staff to oversee the provision;
in some schools this member of staff is called the Gifted and Talented
Coordinator. Some schools will have a register listing their Gifted and
Talented pupils.
How are pupils identified as Gifted and Talented?
Schools will use a variety of methods to identify pupils-
for example test results, teacher assessment and observations and checklists
for different subjects. Schools will monitor identified pupils and review
their lists termly, half yearly or yearly.
Will my child remain on the Gifted and Talented register
for their whole school life?
Some pupils will; some pupils may not. This may be due
to children maturing at different rates and because of their own personal
interests in a subject.
What happens to pupils when they have been identified?
The needs of Gifted and Talented pupils can be met within
the normal school day. In some schools pupils will be taught in mixed ability
classes or in ability classes or groups for all or some lessons. Schools
are encouraged to consider how pupils are challenged during lessons and
plan the curriculum to take full account of differing needs and abilities.
During their school life there may be opportunities for pupils to be involved
in extra curricular activities. They may take place at your child’s
schools or the LEA may organise events for groups of schools.
I like the idea of this provision but I’m not comfortable
with the words “Gifted and Talented”
Many people involved in education may use other titles.
There is no universal agreement on what gifted means, though most people
will have a personal definition. Many schools and local education authorities
use such terms as able, more able or even “promising.” It may
help to think of Gifted and Talented as referring to a programme of provision,
rather than a label for children and young people.
What happens if my child is identified as being Gifted
and Talented in one school and then changes school?
When a pupil changes schools they will be considered in
the context of the other pupils in the year group and a decision will be
taken as to whether they meet that school’s criteria. Children do
not automatically go onto the school Gifted and Talented register even
though their abilities and needs continue. It is strongly recommended that
parents discuss this matter with any potential new school.
Will being identified as Gifted and Talented help my child
get into the secondary school that I want?
No. Being on a school’s Gifted and Talented register
plays no part in the Bexley Secondary School Transfer Procedure.
What can parents do to support their gifted and talented
children?
There are many ways that parents can support their children,
for example by encouraging them to join a library, start a collection,
take up a hobby, join a sports club, learn to play a musical instrument
and encourage independent research at home. Parents can support homework
activities and talk about what their children have learnt in school and
their interests.
 Parents
may wish to join associations – for example The National Association
for Gifted Children  www.nagcbritian.org.uk.
Parents can contact Bexley Family
Information Service on 020 8856 5398 or email fis@bexley.gov.uk
for advice on clubs/societies in the borough of Bexley.
For further information contact the school’s Gifted
and Talented Coordinator or Head Teacher at your pupil’s school,
Or
Gifted and Talented Advisory Teacher
School Support Service
Hill View, Hill View Drive
Welling, Kent DA16 3RY
Tel: 020 8303 7777 ext 4549
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