Now that we are well into the second term, our “Able, Gifted and Talented” provision at JCoSS is in full flow.  Setting takes place in around half the curriculum and the Accelerated Key Stage 3 programme is well underway. Students on the Core Register are meeting the Gifted and Talented Lead Teacher to discuss their feelings about lessons and the challenge provided in them. These individual meetings will also give us the chance to discuss progress in each subject area and how we maximise achievement and enjoyment.  We will also be discussing their ideas for ways forward and their future hopes, aims and ambitions.

JCoSS is committed to engaging ‘student voice’ and enabling our students’ views on learning to help shape our curriculum. As part of the school’s Science Specialist Status, we are working towards setting up the JCoSS Subject Ambassadors Scheme. This scheme will involve students from both the ‘Core’ and ‘Subject-specific’ Gifted and Talented registers and will see small groups of students working with subject leaders to assist with lesson feedback, planning, peer-mentoring and explaining current learning to visitors.

In May, JCoSS and Wren Academy in Finchley will be coming together to hold an Able, Gifted and Talented event. Students from both schools will be involved in team-building and research exercises during the day, and in the evening teams will take part in a ‘University Challenge’ style competition. The evening will also see a key-note speech from a leading member of the NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children).

If you think that you have any skills that would be of interest to our gifted and talented students, then we would be very pleased to hear from you – please phone the school on 020 8344 2220 and ask to speak to Mrs Samuels.  Many thanks in advance.