Why is there specific provision for G&T students?
Provision for Gifted and Talented Students in Broughton Hall is not about elitism, instead it is underpinned by the philosophy of Every Child Matters. All students are entitled to an education that meets their needs, every pupil - gifted and talented, struggling or average - should have the right personalised support to reach their full potential.

At Broughton Hall the personalising of the curriculum has developed greatly in recent years. For instance at Key Stage 3 students now follow a project based approach in some of their lessons – Opening and Enquiring Minds. In Key Stage 4, opportunities now exist for students to take exams in certain subjects at the end of Year 10 instead of waiting until the end of Year 11. In the Sixth Form, a wider range of courses are available through collaboration with other Sixth forms in Liverpool.

For gifted and talented pupils, this means better stretch and challenge in every classroom with opportunities to further their particular talents outside school at a local and national level.

This rationale is at the core of Broughton Hall’s mission...

“To recognise, nurture and celebrate the unique gifts, dignity and potential of each individual”

“To provide a curriculum and teaching strategies which acknowledge and respond to the needs of all”

“Talent alone does not guarantee success and able students may need special support to realise their potential for a number of reasons:
• Talent can easily be wasted without appropriate knowledge and skills to direct it. Advice and support may be crucial in this respect.
• Ability may go unrecognised in the absence of a programme specifically designed to identify it. In some cases, the talent may be latent.
• Without appropriate Schemes of Work and recognition for their efforts, able students may be discouraged.
• Talent may require constant stimulation if it is to continue to develop rather than stagnate and perhaps decline.
• Able students may need emotional and/or psychological support in special respects." - Dr Mike Kirby.

How is the Gifted and Talented cohort determined?
The main G&T cohort is identified by academic performance :-
It is crucially important to identify our gifted and talented students so that their learning experience can be personalised. A cohort of approximately 10-15% of each year group will be selected using the identification criteria outlined below. These students will be included in the School Census return and will feed into the National Register for gifted and talented students.
A range of qualitative and quantitative data is used to identify the gifted students:-

1. CATs results for new Yr7 students are used to compile cohort in Yr7.
2. KS3 SATs are used to review cohort at the end of Yr9 (levels 7 and above)
3. GCSE capped points scores are used to revise cohort at beginning of Yr12

Qualitative data, feedback from subject teachers, progress managers, feeder schools are also taken into consideration when compiling the cohort. The review of the cohort is important as students do not always progress in a linear fashion, some students are “late developers”.

Talented students are identified most commonly through teacher recommendation or through suggestions from outside sporting clubs. There is also a role for self/parental nominations or recommendations from the feeder schools may also be considered. Ability is harder to quantify by tests.

"More able" students are generally considered to possess the following characteristics:

• "Great intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to learn easily and readily.
• Initiative and originality in intellectual work.
• Ability to memorise quickly.
• Superior powers of reasoning."
DES Checklist, 1979.

Recent studies into the nature of intelligence suggest that there is no single form of intelligence to be measured. Professor Howard Gardner has posited a wider view of intelligence, expressed in his theory of Multiple Intelligence's. He identifies seven types of intelligence: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal (only two of which fall within the usual definitions of "intelligence"). These intelligence's are not fixed and can change over time. The Opening and Enquiring Minds programmes in Key Stage 3 actively seek to develop these multiple intelligence's in all students.

We welcome any information on any notable talents that students possess. This should be forwarded to Mr G. Preston, Deputy Head via mail or prestong@broughtonhall.com.

My daughter is not in the G&T cohort, does she still benefit?
This initiative has provoked some debate amongst schools and parents both locally and nationally who question that extra funding is made available to a small proportion of students. Whilst understandable, this ignores the role G&T funding plays in supporting and providing enrichment opportunities for all students. Examples of activities at Broughton Hall part funded by G&T for all students include:-
• School plays
• Foreign visits including Year 10 World War One Battlefields Tour, Business Studies trip to New York.
• Activities Week in July for Years 7-12
• Year 12 Biology coursework field trip
• Year 11 English theatre trip to Lowry in Manchester
Without exception these activities included many students who are not listed on the Gifted and Talented cohort. In addition, G&T funding enables departments in Broughton Hall to purchase learning resources such as text books, ICT software which are used to enrich and enhance the learning of all students.

Are there any useful websites to give me more information on G&T?
http://ygt.dcsf.gov.uk/UsefulLinks.aspx provides a huge range of websites for G&T education.

What is YG&T and how can it help my daughters’ learning?
YG&T (Young, Gifted and Talented) is a website set up to support G&T learners, provide expert advice for teachers and schools, and help the parents of G&T students to help their children maximise their potential. (www.ygt.dcsf.gov.uk)

Eligible students have been given letters to enable them to register on the website – this is relatively straight forward and only takes five minutes. Once registered, students and parents have access to a wealth of learning resources, activities, courses etc to get involved in. The website is regularly updated.

What events and activities have G&T students recently taken part in recently?
In the last academic year, numerous opportunities have been provided for students to enrich and extend their learning at specially organised Saturday events.

Key Stage 3
Year 9 students attended a Forensic science day at UCLAN in Preston solving the grisly murder of a brilliant professor.

Year 8 Riddle of the Mummies Curse

Year 9 Towerwood Windermere Residential in June focussed on leadership, problem solving/teamwork using outward bounds.

Year 8 “Photoshop Skills” – students used this software to digitally enhance and manipulate images.

Year 7 ICT residential at Winmarleigh Hall, near Garstang – students.

Year 9 pre SATs study skills residential at Colomendy – the annual trip to the much loved centre combined the usual intensive revision sessions for the forthcoming SATs with outward bounds and the famous Saturday night disco!

Year 8 “Blood, Snot and Tears” – an exciting tour through the workings of the human body (not for the squeamish!

Year 10 Fun with Genes – investigated this controversial but potentially far reaching element of science. Students learnt about Dolly the Sheep, gene therapy and genetic modification and the ethical issues they raise.

Year 7 Blue Planet – the start to Year 7 would be incomplete without a trip to Ellesmere Port to stroke the sting rays and learn more about life in the watery depths.

Year 7 Egyptology workshop – an exciting workshop in conjunction with University of Liverpool investigating life in ancient Egypt with hands on sessions with genuine artefacts.

Year 7 Latin Workshop – Mrs McCaffrey taught students the basics of the language spoken by the Romans and the language that underpins English.

Year 7 Russian Workshops – Mrs McCaffrey followed up with
Year 8 Maths Decisions, decisions workshops – using the board game developed by Mrs MacGowan and Mrs Carlisle to see how maths plays a key part in making decisions.

Year 9 When Art meets Science – This Da Vinci workshop investigated the genius that is Leonardo. Was there no end to this man’s talent – from inventing cannons and parachutes, he painted the Mona Lisa, and was an expert in architecture and human biology.

Year 7 Architecture Workshop – how do you build suspension bridges and why do they stay up!

Year 7 Spaced Out – investigating what life would be like on Mars (no not the chocolate bar!).

Year 8 Creative Arts Weekend at Colomendy.

Key Stage 4
Students took part in an eight day modular programme over two years entitled “The MALIT Challenge” with Andy Griffith. This focussed on developing many of the skills required to be an independent learner including time management, nutrition and hydration, revision and exam techniques, strategies for problem solving and emotional resilience. The culmination of the programme was a celebration evening where they presented to their parents and some staff. The aim is to equip them with the skills required to succeed at A level and beyond.
Please find examples of the presentations that were used at the celebration evening below

Personality Types

Memory

Revision Tips

Concentration

Power of the Mind

Sixth Form
Students have taken part in master classes and revision courses at a range of universities helping them to maximise their grades, decide on which course they want to follow when they apply to university and providing evidence to support their UCAS applications.

In addition, Year 12 students have successfully taken part in Mock Trial competition, Young Enterprise and a whole host of other enrichment and extension activities.