Becket Keys

MAGT: More able, gifted and talented

Our definitions for these students are:

More able pupils

are those whose academic performance is significantly above age expectations in at least two core subjects.

Gifted pupils

are those who demonstrate significant attainment in a specific subject or prodigious performance in the arts/sports.

Talented pupils

are those who demonstrate exceptional performance in two or three of the following:

  1. the arts or design (grade 4 or higher in one or more musical instruments, recognised excellence, published or public performance in art, literature or drama)
  2. sports (local, regional, county or national representation)
  3. a high level skill in a particular field outside the curriculum

 

Our approach

We recognise that our More Able, Gifted and Talented students (MAGT) need access to broad, balanced and challenging curriculum opportunities to enable them to reach their true potential. With this in mind we personalise the curriculum for them by offering activities that extend and enrich their learning and promote high attainment and good progress.

Where appropriate, students move through their learning at a faster rate than their peers. Particularly able students may, if it is appropriate, be able to take mathematics, further mathematics and three sciences before the normal time at the end of Year 11.

Students on the MAGT register, alongside other higher attaining students, are supported to reach their full potential through high-calibre, differentiated tasks and activities. The MAGT register specifically indicates the curriculum areas in which the student has been identified as having strengths. Subject teachers and tutors will be informed so that progress can be monitored closely.

Supporting our Students

To support our More Able, Gifted and Talented students we have:

Challenging Targets

The school has targets, overall and at subject level, for attainment and achievement of MAGT students. Where we see a student is attaining a high level in one core subject, we aim for them to make more rapid progress in other subjects. 

Careful Tracking of Progress

  1. Analysing results from National Curriculum Tests and our own termly assesements (6 per year) to identify MAGT students.
  2. Expecting subject teachers to identify MAGT students and nominate them to be registered
  3. Providing a questionnaire for Primary Schools to complete prior to their pupils starting in the school. This will enable primary colleagues to tell us of MAGT students and will be used to inform the register.
  4. Speaking to parents and students about their out of school activities.

Academic Setting

Students are set by ability as appropriate. We believe that setting in certain subjects is more advantageous than others especially the more linear subjects like mathematics and science. Other subjects like music and PE also require setting from time to time to ensure that more able students are being challenged appropriately. At present, in Key Stage 3, we set in English, Maths, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, History and Geography.

Strong Departments

Each department tracks the progress of MAGT students. Termly (6 per year) meetings are held with staff where the progress is reviewed and strategies can be devised to cater for these students to enhance progress further. For example, use of questioning, advanced vocabulary, additional research/homework and higher level thinking strategies. Where appropriate, individual and group master classes will be set up to advance progress. 

Parental Support 

When students are placed on the MAGT register parents are informed and provided with guidance as to how they can support their children’s learning.

Additional Activities

Specific activities to advance the learning of MAGT students include:

  • Regional and National Spelling Bees
  • Debating and presenting competitions
  • Mathematics competitions
  • Sports competitions
  • Musical collaborations and concerts
  • Masterclass events – author visits etc
  • Reading groups – e.g. Carnegie Award Shadowing Scheme
  • Language Leaders

Websites to support More Able Gifted and Talented students and their parents:

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