Our programme for gifted and talented students is well-funded and all-encompassing. These students will be taught with boys of similar ability throughout their time at the school. Additional master classes ensure that they acquire A* grades in their subjects.
Targeted extra-curricular activities are provided that extend their GCSE opportunities and broaden their experiences. In the last year the choices available for students have ranged from studying Mandarin and going to Beijing; producing an award-winning science video; e-mentoring with city lawyers; public speaking and appearing in the West End in a production of The Tempest.
Gifted and Talented initiatives that impact on attainment.
- Year 10 and 11 mentoring time (pathway1) once every two weeks. This involves focusing on study skills, exam techniques and supplementing classwork by looking at higher standard answers etc…
- Year 10 and 11 French one on one tuition. This involves providing those students taking French GCSE with an opportunity to spend time with our French assistant throughout the year practicing their oral French.
- University mentoring schemes.
This involves students from Russell Group institutions within the University of London coming in to mentor students from Year 10 through to 13 on study skills, what they can do to further their applications to college and give them motivation to succeed in their studies.
- Projects with local businesses. This involves activities throughout the years in school joining with local businesses and companies to further students understanding of the world of work (supplemented by work experience in Year 10 and 13). We have links with banks such as DeutcheBank and Goldman Sachs as well as the law firm Slaughter and May.
- Language trips and courses.
We offer a course yearly to SOAS university of London to our gifted Asian language speakers to further their understanding of the languages and culture that they originate from. This supplements their language GCSE studies not only for French but the additional languages we offer.
- Exhibitions
Throughout the school we offer trips to galleries, theatres, and museums such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Imperial War Museum. These are offered to the gifted and talented cohort to increase their understanding of certain areas and fuel their enthusiasm for the relevant subject. Last year we also invited in the Anne Frank Trust that aided students in launching a fundraising campaign against knife crime in the local area.
- Further courses
Throughout Year 12 and 13 we offer the AQA Baccalaureate in order to improve the chances of our most able students getting into the universities they desire. This involves critical thinking AS, an extended report as well as further opportunities outside of the classroom such as courses and mentoring from local businesses and institutions as well as work experience opportunities.
- Mentoring and action plans
As a school we place underachieving Year 10 and 11 students on action plans (in consultation with the relevant departments) if they are failing to reach their targets. This involves a number of mentoring sessions with the Gifted and Talented Coordinator and their subject teacher setting out aims and techniques for them to put into practice to improve their grades.
- After school clubs
We offer a wide range of after school clubs specifically designed for the Gifted and Talented cohort such as Debatemate debating club, extended maths as well as art and cookery clubs. We have found that these can have a huge impact on the students’ grades and their enthusiasm for the subjects.
Special Needs
Pupils can have difficulties in learning at different times and may require different approaches or strategies.
In-class support for all pupils is a major commitment of the Special Needs Department, but there are also individual programmes involving withdrawal from lessons for extra help with reading, spelling and handwriting.
Central Foundation Boys’ School has a detailed SEN policy, meeting the Government’s Code of Practice.
Activities Gifted and Talented Key Stage 4 and 5
Year 10
- Wadham College – Aspiration Day
- King’s College London – Medical Activity Days
- London School of Economics – Widening Participation-Insight into University
- Corpus Christi – Activity Day
- Imperial College London – Robotics Day
- City University Careers Workshop
- Careers in the City Workshop – Hosted by UBS / Bloomberg’s
- Careers in the Financial Services – Hosted by Financial Services Skills Council
