A, G & T Pupils

It is our aim at Kennet Valley School to educate children within a quality learning environment, maximising each child’s potential. It is recognised that within each year group there will be children who have a general all round higher ability. There will also be children with more specific abilities that are greater than those of the majority of their age peers.

There are many definitions of ‘Able, Gifted and Talented’. At Kennet Valley we use the following definitions:

‘Able pupils’ at Kennet Valley refers to pupils who achieve, or have the ability to achieve, above average (compared with the attainment of other pupils in their year group) in one or more of the National Curriculum subjects.

‘Gifted pupils’ at Kennet Valley refers to pupils who achieve, or have the ability to achieve, significantly above average (compared with the attainment of other pupils in their year group) in one or more of the National Curriculum subjects, other than art, performing arts or physical education.

‘Talented pupils’ at Kennet Valley refers to those pupils who achieve, or have the ability to achieve, significantly above average (compared with the attainment of other pupils in their year group) in creative subjects, performing arts, physical education or practical abilities.

Identifying A, G & T pupils:

In order to identify this rich diversity of abilities, it is essential to adopt a variety of methods when identifying Able, Gifted and Talented children. These can include the following:

Observations and discussions
Performance in internal and external tests (including end of key stage statutory tests)
Pupils’ written/oral work
Extra-curricular participation and leisure interests
Feedback from other adults in school
Parents
Previous schools
Specialists e.g. educational, music teacher, sports coach, etc.
Competitions

It is also recognised that those students who are gifted and talented do not always show their ability. The use of the whole school tracking data and pupil progress meetings, aims to help make early identification of underachievers for staff easier.

Monitoring:

Once a child has been identified, their abilities will be continually monitored. They may only remain on the A,G & T register for a specific period of time, for example, a school year. Inclusion on the register is then reviewed against clearly identified school criteria. It is a flexible process, which reflects the current needs of individual pupils – pupils may move on and off as their circumstances change.

Provision for A,G & T children:

At Kennet Valley we provide an environment where achievement is encouraged in all areas of school life and where the more able have a secure environment in which they feel happy to display ability and take risks.

Differentiation of work – by group, task or outcome. This encompasses pace of work, use of resources, level of support, level of dialogue, introduction and continuation of the task and opportunity for independent learning
Extension – providing increased depth and breadth appropriate to individual needs and levels of attainment.
Enrichment – providing or raising awareness of the opportunities available which are outside the core learning.
Individually targeted work
Grouping – in class
Withdrawal – when appropriate to work with specialist help or have support for extension activities.
Representation – represent the school in events organised within the collaborative.
The central aim at Kennet Valley is to provide all of our children with experiences and opportunities which will enable them to discover and fulfil their own potential.