The progress of all pupils at The Island Free School is of utmost importance and we recognise the need to provide stretch and challenge opportunities for those pupils identified as more able.
At The Island Free School more able pupils are identified as either High Attainers or as Gifted, Talented and Passionate.
Identification of More Able Pupils
High Attainers
In its June 2013 report, ‘more able’ is defined by Ofsted as the brightest pupils starting secondary school in Year 7 attaining Level 5 or above, or having the potential to attain Level 5 and above, in English (reading and writing) and/or mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2. Pupils will also be added to the high attainer list if their average CAT score is above 129. This ensures that pupils who have not reached their potential in KS2 such as English as Additional Language pupils who might not have attained Level 5 or beyond at the end of Key Stage 2 but have the potential to achieve it. These levels will be amended after the first set of results and cross-referenced for clearer identification, in a life without levels. At TIFS, more able pupils are also known as High Attainers and their academic progress is tracked as this group.
Gifted, Talented and Passionate
Each year, usually by the end of the first term in year 7, each Head of Department is asked to identify a maximum of 10 pupils whom they consider to have a special aptitude for or particular interest in their subject. In identifying not only aptitude but also a particular interest, especially in practical subjects, we aim to ensure that pupils who have a genuine interest in a subject can be supported in developing their passion even if they are unable to develop the skill level as performers. A good example here would be a pupil who lacks performance skills but may have a passion for stage direction.
Provision for More Able Pupils
High Attainers
Pupils at The Island Free School are not streamed by ability in any subject area other than mathematics and therefore the responsibility for meeting the needs of High Attainers fall to individual classroom teachers.
Stretch and challenge form part of our regular classroom practice and high attainers can expect to have their abilities developed through questioning and differentiation activities as well as exercises to extend their thinking skills.
Gifted, Talented and Passionate
Once identified GT&P pupils will be given extra opportunities to broaden their knowledge and skills in the appropriate identified areas including but not limited to:
- Invitation to join an extra curricular activity designed to promote their identified GT or P
- Invitation to join at least one trip to support their development
- Invitation to engage in one subject day each year designed to extend curricular learning.
Monitoring Progress of More Able Pupils
High Attainers
The progress of high attainers is tracked each term as part of the termly progress monitoring process. Pupils identified as high attainers are expected to make between 4 and 6 points progress in each subject each year. This data is then reported to governors, senior leaders, staff and parents at appropriate levels along with all other relevant data.
Gifted, Talented and Passionate
It is the responsibility of Heads of Department to monitor the progress of pupils they have identified as GT&P in their subject area. Heads of Department are expected to comment on the academic progress of this group in their yearly Department review and their termly current position statements. It is expected that identified GT&P pupils make 4 to 6 points progress per year in the subjects for which they have been given GT&P status
Heads of Department share their GT&P progress data with the school data manager who collates these responses and includes this data in termly progress updates to Governors, senior leaders and staff.
