Able, Gifted and Talented

The Coopers' Company and Coborn School has secured the NACE Challenge Award. This gold standard Gifted & Talented Award highlights our excellent provision for able children. The NACE assessors described the lessons they saw as "stunning and outstanding". Congratulations to all the teachers and staff of the school for their wonderful work.

Click here to read their Press Release.

Introduction
The motto of the school, ‘Love as Brethren’, obliges us to serve the needs of all pupils. We acknowledge the importance of addressing the particular needs of very able pupils. Indeed this work can be a catalyst for whole school benefit, as noted by Mike Tomlinson (former Director of OFSTED) in 2002; “If you are willing to deal effectively with the needs of able pupils you will raise the achievement of all pupils.” In essence our approach to gifted & talented provision is encapsulated in the NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) mission statement; “…provide for pupils with high abilities whilst enabling all pupils to flourish.”

Provision
Our Able, Gifted & Talented model has five elements:

  • Scheduled – routine challenge: differentiated activities for Able, Gifted & Talented pupils during lessons, across all key stages.
  • Extension – amplified challenge: e.g. termly curriculum extension activities, Open University YASS modules, Villiers Park courses, etc.
  • Enrichment – deep challenge: e.g. Coopers’ CAT’s, links & exchanges with other schools, etc.
  • Excellence – exam challenge: e.g. weekly academic excellence sessions for KS4 pupils, etc.
  • Innovation – novel challenge: e.g. ‘Dilemma-based learning in the Humanities’ course for KS3 pupils, etc.

Developments
We have been designated as a G&T Lead School as part of our third specialism (Training School). This will allow us to share best practice with colleagues and pupils in other schools. Moreover, we intend to capitalise on these links to challenge and develop our practice and procedures. We are delighted to have secured the NACE Challenge Award, which is the gold-standard vis-à-vis gifted & talented provision. This significant Award will help shape and develop our gifted & talented provision over the next four years.
Finally, we are pleased to be institutional members of both NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) and NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children).

Coopers' Curriculum Extension Activities
We now have a programme of Curriculum Extension Activities hosted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Teachers have provided a series of demanding activities for able and ambitious pupils. The rationale is to provide another layer of challenge for pupils and for an additional opportunity for parental involvement. These tasks complement the work that is taking place in lessons and provide opportunities for G&T pupils to develop their interests and skills. All subject areas and year groups are covered across the three terms. These activities, hosted on the VLE, can be accessed via the school website homepage (go to the 'Gifted and Talented' room; then go to the Curriculum Extension Activities' room).

'The Floor is Yours...'
The University of Leicester offers a new way to engage with key issues that shape our society. Pupils can join debates on a host of topics, including 'should we go to Mars?' by clicking here. Join some of Britain's leading academics and high-profile opinion formers in these challenging 'the floor is yours' debates.

Key Stage 3 'Dilemma-based Learning in the Humanities' Course
These sessions will take place on Wednesdays in room H22 (1.15pm to 2.15pm). The session dates are outlined below:
Year 7Year 8Year 9
6 Oct 201013 Oct 201020 Oct 2010
3 Nov 201010 Nov 201017 Nov 2010
24 Nov 20101 Dec 20108 Dec 2010
15 Dec 201022 Dec 20105 Jan 2011
12 Jan 201119 Jan 201126 Jan 2011
2 Feb 20119 Feb 20112 Mar 2011
9 Mar 201116 Mar 201123 Mar 2011
30 Mar 20116 Apr 201127 Apr 2011
4 May 201111 May 201118 May 2011
25 May 20118 Jun 201115 Jun 2011
22 Jun 201129 Jun 20116 Jul 2011

Key Stage 4 Academic Excellence Group
A group of thirty Year 11 pupils meet weekly to discuss topical issues (Thursday, room AN4, 8.40am to 9am). Inspiration is drawn from BBC Radio 4's 'Moral Maze' programme.
A group of thirty-five Year 10 pupils meet weekly to discuss topical issues (Tuesday, room AN4, 8.40am to 9am). Inspiration is drawn from the 'Observer Panel' feature of the The Observer newspaper.

Key Stage 5 History Enrichment Course
A group of Year 13 Historians meet weekly (Friday, room H22, 1.15pm to 2.15pm) to participate in a History enrichment course, which is modelled on the Advanced Extension Award. Students discuss and debate a range of issues related to historiography.

Villiers Park Educational Trust
Villiers Park Educational Trust is a charity that helps very able young people. The Trust provides support, courses and online activities. Online extension tasks are provided for Years 12 and 13 students. The subjects covered include: Art; Biology; Chemistry; Economics; English Literature; French; Geography; German; History; Maths; Media; Philosophy; Physics; Psychology; Spanish; Theatre Studies.
To access these activities click here.

News
Art:
• One of our Year 9 pupils has won the Havering Young Artist of the Year for 2011. He received his award at a ceremony held at the Queen's Theatre. Many congratulations! (April 2011). • Visitors from the Royal Academy delivered a series of workshops for Year 12 students. Many thanks to Mrs Tiffin for arranging and hosting this successful event (December 2010). • A number of our pupils participated in a competition to design a banner for the Havering Eco conference. Out of the five categories, our pupils won three of them. Congratulations to the pupils and thanks to Miss Ellis and Mrs Veysey for their direction on this exciting project (October 2010). • Great success at this year's Havering Young Artist of the Year - A Year 13 student won first prize; A Year 12 student won second prize; and three other Year 12 students were highly commended for their work. This wonderful work will be on display at the Queens Theatre from 2nd to 17th October (2010). • Two Y13 students have had their work selected to be exhibited at the Mall Galleries in The National Student's Art Exhibition, under the patronage of the Royal Society of British Artists. This is a very prestigious event. Many congratulations to the students and thanks to the Art Department for all their wonderful work (July 2010). • Six Year 7 pupils participated in an exchange with St Martin's School on Wednesday 16th and Monday 21st June. Pupils worked very hard and produced high-quality pieces. Thanks to Miss Ellis for taking a lead on this project (June 2010). • The work of several Years 8, 9 and 10 pupils is on display in Hornchurch Library (14-25 June 2010). • One of our Year 8 pupils won first prize at this year's Havering Junior Young Artist, with an excellent landscape painting (March 2010). • A clay specialist spent a day working with a large number of Talented Artists across all year groups. The workshop was based around the Fibonacci Sequence. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the challenging activites and were full of praise for the day (January 2010).
Drama:
• Eight pupils across Years 9 and 10 participated in an international Drama event in Brussels over the Easter period. This extraordinary event lasted for ten days, with pupils being involved in workshops and live performances. Congratulations to all the pupils. Thanks to the Drama and French Departments - particular thanks to Mrs Palmer (April 2010). • The Year 10 Talented Drama pupils are busy preparing for their "Romeo and Juliet" performance at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, where they will be performing alongside three other local schools (October 2009). • Two talented Drama pupils in Year 9, Mert Hussein and Victor Nyambe, are currently representing Coopers and the UK at the Edered International Theatre Festival in Moscow - two of only eight young people from the whole of the UK! Mrs Palmer from the Drama Department has also gone out with them, to lead workshops with other practitioners from across the world (July 2009). • Eleven Year 7 pupils participated in an exchange visit with pupils from St Martin’s School, Brentwood (June 2009). • “Carbaret Phasmatis” – Year 13 professional production (April 2009). • Year 10 pupils will be involved in the ‘Shakespeare Schools Festival’ (March 2009). • Four Year 10 pupils have now won places with the National Youth Theatre (2009).
English:
• 25 Year 10 pupils participated in the Jack Petchey 'Speakout Challenge'. The pupils spent a full day with a guest speaker and Mr Whyte, working hard on their public speaking skills. Pupils performed very well and the standard of the work was applauded by the guest speaker. Congratulations to the pupils and thanks to Mr Whyte for his hard work (March 2011). • Eleven Year 7 pupils participated in an exchange visit with pupils from St Martin’s School, Brentwood (March 2009).
Extension Activities:
• Activities are available on the VLE for the Autumn, Spring and Summer Terms for all subjects and year groups. Please access the Gifted and Talented 'room' for a full list.
Geography:
• Year 10 pupils from three neighbouring secondary schools visited Coopers to work with our pupils and the Royal Geographical Society on a Climate Change conference. Important issues were discussed and challenging activities were presented to the pupils. Thanks and congratulations to Mrs Reed for organising this highly successful event (December 2010). • Several of our Year 7 pupils worked with Year 6 pupils from a local Primary School on 'Climate Change Day.' This day was jointly organised by by our own Mrs Reid and the Royal Geographical Society (July 2010). • 45 Year 10 G&T pupils from Havering schools particpated in a 'Climate Change Conference' at CCCS on December 9th 2009. This conference was organised jointly by Mrs Reed and the Royal Geographical Society. It was a highly successful event - as Mrs Reed noted, "the whole day proved to be an exciting and thought-provoking experience for all those involved, dealing with a subject which is not only topical but also one of the greatest challenges of our times".
Havering Talented 30:
• Every year Havering Council and Havering College of Further Education recognise thirty of the borough’s most talented young people from across art, music, drama, dance and sport. • This year five of our pupils featured in the thirty: James Davis, Freddy Keefe, Georgie Lou Sales, Ryan Linham & Bethany Whalley. • Congratulation to the pupils and thanks to colleagues for the nominations (July 2009).
History:
• 34 G&T pupils visitied the Museum of American People in Bath. The day also involved a visit to the Roman bath house. All pupils were enthusiatic during the day. Thank you to the History Department and other colleagues for their work on the day. Particualr thanks to Mr Wellington for organising the day (July 2010). • Eleven Year 7 pupils participated in an exchange visit with pupils from St Martin’s School, Brentwood (June 2009). • Nine Year 13 pupils completed the Advanced Extension Award. Five achieved Distinctions, with the remaining four securing Merits (July 2007).
Maths:
• Twelve Year 7 pupils participated in a Maths exchange with pupils from Albany School. Pupils worked very well and we were made to feel most welcome at Albany. Many thanks to Miss Soylemez and Mr Betchley for their work on this project (July 2010). • CCCS hosted the east London Maths Challenge, having won the event last year, with four Year 8 pupils performing very well against Years 9 to 10 pupils from other schools (July 2009). • Years 7 to 11 pupils participated in Leeds University’s ‘Maths Challenge’ (April 2009).
Media:
• HOscars success! Coopers' pupils won first place in the Havering Film and Animation Competition (HOscars) with a film entitled 'The Eco Kid'. Congratulations to the pupils involved and many thanks to Mr Dunford for his pioneering work with Media (March 2011).
Music:
• Six Year 7 pupils participated in an exchange with St Martin's School on Wednesday 16th and Monday 21st June. Pupils worked hard and produced high-quality compositions. Thanks to Mr Lorentzen for taking a lead on this project (June 2010). • 5 of our pupils (Years 9,10,11 and 13) won awards as part of the Havering Talented 30 scheme (July 2010).
PE:
• CATs (Coopers’ Athletics Team) programme, designed for elite athletes, judged as “outstanding” by OFSTED (May 2009). • CCCS has been selected as one of 15 schools to receive funding from the Youth Sport Trust to develop an elite athlete squad running alongside the Coopers' CATS. This wil include attending two elite athlete performance days at Loughborough University led by elite athletes including Denise Lewis and Craig Heap (2010). • 4 of our pupils (Years 9, 10 and 13) won awards as part of the Havering Talented 30 scheme (July 2010).
Politics & Citizenship:
• A group of pupils from Years 8 and 9 participated in the Havering Magistrates Mock Trial. This is the first year we have been involved in this event and the pupils distinguished themselves as runners-up. Congratulations to the pupils for their hard work and fine performances, and many thanks to Mrs Paulus for her work in preparing the pupils and organising our involvement (March 2011).
RE:
• A group of ten pupils, from Years 10 and 12, particpated in a trip to London to study Zoroastrianism. Pupils were involved in a full day of intellectual enquiry and philosophical endeavour. All of the pupils distinguished themselves in terms of their positive participation and respectful conduct. Congratulations to the pupils and many thanks to Mrs Usher for organising and leading such a stimulating trip on a Saturday! (April 2011). • A number of pupils from Years 9, 10 and 13 particiapted in an event, hosted by Baroness Warsi, Jack Straw and Sir Alan Beith, to launch 'Celebrating RE Month'. The pupils visited the Palace of Westminster and delivered short speeches to members of the Houses of Commons and Lords. Congratulations to the pupils on their performances and thanks to Mr Hugill for organising this visit (March 2011). • A group of pupils visited Westminster Abbey to see how Christmas is celebrated at this iconic estbalishment. Many thanks to Mrs Usher for organising and leading this successful trip (December 2010). • Visit to London Buddhist Centre (March 2009). • Visit to Woodside Park Synagogue (February 2009).
Science:
• Two of our 6th form students participated the Chemistry Olympiad this year. The Royal Society describes the Olympiad as "a challenging written test of Chemical knowledge and quite an event in itself." One of our students was awarded a Silver Certificate. Congratulations to both students and thanks to the Chemistry teachers, particularly Mrs Wilson, for their hard work and inspiration (April 2011). • Two year 10 pupils came second in the Royal Liberty Chemistry Competition. Congratulations to them and thanks to the Science teachers for their hard work (April 2011). • Fifteen Year 5 pupils from Broadford Primary School visited us to participate in a Science G&T Day. The pupils extracted DNA from fruit, made bouncing custard balls and undertook a static electricity experiment. Challenge and fun were the order of the day, with several members of the Coopers' Science Club assisting with the work. Many thanks to Mrs McCall for her inspirational work throughout the day (March 2011). • Five Y13 students achieved success at this year's British Biology Olympiad. 2850 students from 337 schools took part across the country. Our students achieved: a Bronze Award medal; two Highly Commended Certificates; and two Commended Certificates. Many congratulations to the students and their teachers (February 2011). • All of our Year 9 and Year 10 pupils participated in the Biology Challenge competition earlier this year. We are delighted that 81 pupils received awards (out of 20,000 participants!) ranging from Gold to Commended - 7 Gold - 17 Silver - 25 Bronze - 20 Highly Commended - 12 Commended. Congratulations to all the pupils and the Science teachers (April 2010). • Two year 9 pupils recently undertook courses with the Open University (Astronomy and Life in the Oceans). These OU courses are aimed at sixth formers and give an insight into what university level study is like, as well as providing pupils with an opportunity to work independently. We were delighted to hear that both pupils not only passed their courses but did so with flying colours. Our warmest congratulations go to both of them (January 2010). • Dr Clare Roper, lead medical admissions tutor and interviewer at King's College, along with ten student ambassadors in their second and third year of medical school delivered two, two-hour sessions about applying to read Medicine at university to Key Stage 4 and 5 prospective medical students. In total about 70 students were involved (November 2009). • Year 13 pupils participated in the British Biology Olympiad. One pupil was highly commended, with two others being commended (March 2009). • Eleven Year 7 pupils participated in an exchange visit with pupils from St Martin’s School, Brentwood (March 2009).
Technology:
• One of our Year 10 pupils won the Havering Young Chef of the Year competion (June 2010).
University:
• 42 Year 9 pupils participated in a talk with a representative from Oxford University. The purpose of the talk was to stilmulate early interest in elite universities. Many thanks to Mrs Read for organising the event (July 2010). • Ten Y10 pupils participated in a a Challenge Day at Cambridge University. They were given an introduction to Higher Education in general and specifically to undergraduate study at Cambridge. Pupils had lunch at Newham College, with afternoon sessions on Forensic Archaeology and Education (January 2010). • Twenty Year 9 pupils participated in an ‘Exploring Oxford’ visit to Keble College, Oxford (June 2009).
Villiers Park:
• Several 6th form students have successfully completed challenging courses at the Villiers Park centre in Cambridge - Cell Biology and Genetics (September 2010); Why Chemical Reactions Happen (September 2010); Maths, Chaos or Clear Cut? (March 2010); An Exploration of Space (March 2010); A Level Chemistry (September 2009)
YASS:
• We are the country’s largest provider of YASS, the Open University’s Sixth Form qualification, with over 120 students. • Two Year 9 pupils are studying Open University science modules.

Frequently Asked Questions
What do we want to achieve through better provision for very able pupils? What do we mean by gifted and talented? How are pupils identified for inclusion on the gifted and talented register? How do we accommodate and track pupils who have been identified as gifted and/or talented? How do we ensure that our gifted and talented provision is refreshed and progressive?

Publications
Informed Parent and Carer
A very useful publication (Able, Gifted & Talented for the Informed Parent and Carer) is available from NACE. This booklet provides parents and carers with answers to the most common questions about caring for and supporting a very able child.

Address: The Core Business Centre, Milton Hill, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6AB
Tel: 01235 828280
Email: publications@nace.co.uk
Buy Online: NACE Bookshop