Identification
Gifted and talented are nationally agreed definitions. In Teacher Tools, 'gifted' is used to describe learners who have specific abilities in academic subjects, whilst 'talented' refers to those with particular ability in sports, music and the creative arts. 'Gifted and talented' refers to learners with high ability in both these areas.
All schools are required to identify a gifted and talented cohort which should comprise the top 5 to 10 per cent of their students. When identifying the gifted and talented, schools need to use a range of qualitative and quantitative strategies to ensure that all learners are given an opportunity to be identified.
The gifted and talented group should comprise of approximately two thirds gifted and one third talented. It is important that this group is representative of the whole school population in terms of gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.
Talented
Identifying talented learners can cause teachers concern, particularly when talents are 'hidden'.
Find out moreLearning styles
Teachers need to respond to the learning styles of their students. Failure to take consideration of these differences can lead to a curriculum that is neither accessible nor engaging.
Find out moreHard to identify
It may be easy for high achieving learners to be identified but being gifted and talented is more than the ability to succeed in tests and exams. Potential might also be hidden, or masked by factors such as self-esteem, boredom, language skills and learning difficulties.
Find out moreRelevant documents and links
- Identifying gifted and talented students – Flash film on how to identify gifted and talented students.
- Creative Generation – Guidance on how to identify talented students in drama.
- Mentoring able underachievers – Mentoring able underachivers.
- Guidance on teaching the gifted and talented (National Curriculum) – Identifying gifted and talented learners: what does gifted and talented mean?
- Oxford Brookes - gifted and talented professional development – Professional development materials on gifted and talented provision.
- The National Association for Gifted Children – intensive area-based programmes in disadvantaged areas through the Excellence in Cities initiative; resources that support teaching and learning nationally and; a new focus on regional support, initially in London.
- Creative Generation – Introduction to guidance around art, dance, drama and music.
- The National Literacy Trust"s EAL webpages – This section focuses on people of all ages from ethnic minorities for whom English may or may not be a first language.
- National gifted and talented strategy (DCSF) – Latest thinking on current gifted and talented initiatives.