Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented Pupils: Profile: Izzy Hatt

YEAR 11 GIFTED AND TALENTED TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

 A number of our Year 11 pupils visited Cambridge University on Saturday 19^th November.

Pupils attended a conference focussing on the importance of suitable A Level subject choices in support of application to the Russell Universities.

The conference focussed on what universities are looking for in terms of A Levels. Emphasis was also placed on choosing the right combination of subjects to ensure that options are kept open at degree level.

From the University.

“The AS and A Level subject choices you make when in Year 11 can have a significant impact on the course options available to you at university. When assessing applicant at the University of Cambridge, we consider not only the individual A Level subjects taken but the combination of these. We generally prefer applicants to have taken certain subjects or combination of these because we believe that they are more likely to provide an effective preparation for study at the university. There are certain A level subjects, that are considered either essential or useful for a number of courses at Cambridge therefore choosing one or more of these will help keep your higher education options open. These subjects include Chemistry, English Literature, History, Languages, Mathematics and Physics”

Feedback from pupils.

 “Overall the day was both informative and enjoyable, entailing a vast amount of information necessary when considering A levels and University degree. We soon began to realise the great competition to get into such good universities and how necessary it was to work hard and be academically strong”

Hemesh Jethwa Nov 2011

 “After a morning of Christmas shopping, we arrived at the university ready for the conference. We found about about the Key stone subjects and what matters most to Cambridge University if we were to apply. Current students spoke to us about their A level subjects and how they applied to the degree of their choice”

Kate Sirman Nov 2011

 “I thought the trip to Cambridge was very good as it gave me an insight into what the university and City were like. It was an informative seminar as it helped me discover what A levels I needed for specific courses and which subjects were not as useful. The trip enabled me to be more confident when it comes to deciding on my A level Subject choice”

Georgia Hull Nov 2011

 “After getting up at 6am on Saturday, I rushed to the golf club to play a match before driving straight to Cambridge for this informative session. Despite parts of the conference being basically an advertisement on the superiority of Cambridge University over any other university in the world, which was expected, there were parts that I found extremely helpful. They talked of a further maths website which was very useful www.fmnetwork.org.uk and stressed the combination of subjects required for a Maths degree (Maths, Further Maths, Physics and 1 other subject). From listening to one of the Cambridge students, I found that to gain experience you could teach your subject rather than just getting a loosely related job. I am looking forward to university and I now realise that from the talks that it is a place where it is normal to be someone who works hard”

Jack Turley Nov 2011

 

 

We talked to Mrs John, assistant Headteacher about her role as Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator.

What do you do as Gifted and Talented Coordinator? I make sure that every able child in this school is stretched in all subject areas.

How does a pupil know if they are on the Gifted and Talented List for a certain subject? I liaise with all Department Leaders and discuss the selection process. With their teachers they draw up a list of all the Gifted and Talented students in their area. A letter then goes home to parents saying that their child has been selected for the Gifted and Talented programme. This can be in as many as 10 subjects, or it could be for one subject. Each pupil will then get a letter from each individual department they have been selected for outlining the programme in that area.

How is it going? Really well. I have termly interviews detailed feedback sessions with a number of students which has highlighted good practice in many areas. Students are feeling really motivated and stretched this year in so many areas of the curriculum. The fact that they also know that they’ve been identified as Gifted and Talented , even if it’s just for one subject, makes them feel really proud.

What have been the highlights of your year regarding Gifted and Talented? There is so much to talk about. Personally I have been involved in taking a group of ten Year 11 students to Cambridge University to look at possible options for Sixth Form and University. We’ve also had ex-students talk to Year 11 just before Year 11 were due to start their Mock Examinations. Ben Krishna is currently in his final Year at Oxford studying Bio-Chemistry, which will be followed by a PhD. Aniete Ekong is currently a Junior Doctor in Croydon. Their talk really helped to raise Year 11’s expectations. We have also taken Year 10 to master classes regarding stretching the most able and are currently organising for a number of Year 10 students to attend a Physics master class. 10 pupils will also be selected to attend Watford General Hospital to help provide a background for a career in Medicine. All subjects have organised trips, and in-house sessions to support the drive for Gifted and Talented Provision at Nicholas Breakspear.