Gifted & Talented
Our most able students are stretched both through the curriculum and through off-timetable activities. These are co-ordinated by a teacher specifically responsible for the Gifted and Talented. We also have a specialist Oxbridge Adviser.
The academically gifted are identified through our screening system - the 'Midyis' and 'Yellis' tests run by Durham University which predict likely future performance at GCSE and beyond. Those who score highly are invited to go on the summer courses run by the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth at the University of Warwick.
Gifted pupils are guided towards subject options at GCSE and A-level that will particularly stretch their individual aptitudes. Critical Thinking is offered in the Sixth Form. The Stride-Darnley Society provides a forum for high-flying Sixth Formers to give papers they have researched to an audience of students and staff. Potential Oxbridge candidates are identified early; they are given detailed guidance on subject and College choices, and practice interviews are arranged. This year five of our students were offered places at Oxford or Cambridge - a record for the school. Click here for full details.
Mandarin and Ancient Greek are both taught in off-timetable 'clubs' (Mandarin is also offered as an option in Year 9). Those students who progress rapidly through the ICT course (the 'European Computer Driving Licence') can then move on to do programming. Activities such as Science Club and Chess - while open to all - are well-suited to providing extra stimulation for bright pupils. Our brightest young scientists take an extra GCSE in Environmental Science in an after-school group and have field trips as part of this programme.
Students who are talented in music, drama or sport will have their talents developed through performances and matches. Musicians and actors are strongly encouraged to take the grade exams and to perform in Festivals. Sportsmen and women go for County and National trials. One of our sportsmen won a Gold Medal for Javelin at the Youth Commonwealth Games - see Sporting Honours for further details.
