More Able Pupils
At Grange Park Junior we work to ensure that those pupils who are on our More Able and Talented (MA&T) register are having their needs met in terms of being challenged in the classroom, ensuring that work is differentiated, as well as providing opportunities to participate in extra learning opportunities both during and outside of school hours.
Differentiation in the classroom will ensure that our most able pupils are challenged by activities that encourage a depth of learning by covering materials in a more detailed and complex way, being given higher level questioning and being provided with extension activities to further stretch them.
Targeted Support
If a child needs extending over and above the support given in everyday high quality teaching then group intervention support may be offered. Examples of activities we run for our More Able and Talented pupils include:
Workshops - Half or full day workshops are run in school or at another local school for pupils with guests and teachers that specialise in particular areas e.g. science, maths, authors etc. Our children that are more able in writing (years 5 & 6) may have the opportunity to attend the 'Shoutwest!' writing festival at Brunel University where they spend two days working alongside authors and illustrators.
Sports Coaching – At Grange Park Junior we run a More Able P.E. club (normally run by QPR) and a Street Dance Club (run by a dance specialist) - both clubs are by invitation only, thereby enabling us to further stretch and develop the children that attend.
Creative Development - When artistically talented pupils have been identified we have offered an art club where children take part in art activities and projects lead by an art specialist. Our Phoenix Pupil Pressroom is made up of children who excel in writing, here they work as a team to research, interview, write, edit and publish their own school newsletter.
The Brilliant Club - This year we are very excited to be part of 'The Brilliant Club'. Selected year 6 pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a project where they work with university lecturers on a particular issue/theme. The children will visit two different universities and on a weekly basis have tutorials with university lecturers, where our pupils have the opportunity to study at a much deeper level.
Tips & Suggestions
If you believe that your child may have a particular talent in a subject or skill then please contact the school about this as we would love to know what your child might do outside school.
If you think that your child is more able or talented in a particular subject you can support them by:
- Encouraging them to attend an after school club
- Help them to use study skills to organise information (e.g. using mind maps)
- Encourage them to take part in extra curricular activities related to the area they are more able/talented in
- Enhance their enthusiasm for a subject by taking them to galleries, museums, cultural events and sporting events.
Helpful Websites
-
London Gifted and Talented Provides tools and tips for parents and teachers to use at home.
-
Family Education Information for parents as well as games and activities to challenge your child
-
Brunel Able Children's Centre (BACE) Read up on research in More Able Children
-
Hoagies Links for both parents and children with activities and reading