This programme focuses on Selwyn Primary School in Newham, East London, and how it caters for its gifted and talented pupils.
The curriculum co-ordinator at the school stresses the need to develop a culture of challenge and high expectation. Another stresses the need to identify the potential in pupils with special needs demonstrated by an example of a science session with a hearing impaired pupil and a lesson with students learning English as their second language.
Headteacher Keiren Clark explains why he has taken on gifted and talented initiatives so wholeheartedly and reveals what parents think of his policy. A Year 6 pupil, talented in sport, is given cricket coaching while a group of gifted and talented students talk candidly about themselves and how others perceive them.
For the teachers, it is exciting and stimulating to have pupils with a very positive attitude to learning but as the curriculum co-ordinator says: "They don't always find it easy, but teaching never was easy!"
This programme shows:
- A case study in developing a culture of challenge and high expectation for gifted and talented pupils
- How to stimulate gifted students whilst not alienating less-abled students
- How to get talented students involved in teaching/coaching
