In January 2008, Holmer Green Senior School achieved the Challenge Award. The school ‘uses its focus on gifted and talented education to raise expectations for all its pupils. There is an emphasis here on the need to work hard to achieve, which has brought about an increase in confidence and performance through the whole school community’ (NACE, 2008).
The able, gifted and talented register
In Year 7, individuals are initially nominated by parents, with staff input during the first term in school. In subsequent years, staff nominate pupils for inclusion on the Able, Gifted and Talented register.
While the register provides details regarding individuals, Holmer Green Senior School aims to provide personalisation and challenge for all pupils within the school community.
Provision
Those identifies on the register are offered, consistent and regular challenges, opportunities to work at their own rate and support with social and team-working skills. Each subject area has a policy devoted to the needs of AG&T and uses a range of teaching and learning strategies in the classroom.
Monitoring
Pupils identified on the register produce personal SMART targets for develpment. Staff and parents monitor these. In addition, staff complete pupil profiles, identifying areas of strength and areas of challenge for individuals.
All pupils are monitored on a whole-school basis, including work scrutiny and classroom observations. Interviews with sixth form pupils have taken place, and this initiative is to be further developed with pupils from all Key Stages.