Gifted pupils aim high in Chelmsford

By goldershaw

ACADEMICALLY gifted youngsters are having their minds stretched by attending special classes in maths and English at Chelmsford County High School for Girls.

Children from 17 mid-Essex primary schools have been split into two groups and have been attending the Broomfield Road school on alternate Tuesdays. There they receive one hour of English tuition and one hour of mathematics, aimed at National Curriculum levels 6 and 7 – academic standards which are beyond the remit of primary schools.

The children started the programme last term when they were in Year 5 and were chosen by their class teachers after showing they are gifted in one or both of the subjects. They will continue the programme through to Easter next year in readiness for their SATs. The scheme will then continue with the subsequent Year 5 groups.

CCHS teachers gave feedback to the primary teachers so they can offer work of a similar level in the pupil's 'home' classroom.

The primary schools have greatly welcomed the scheme. Ian Bowyer, deputy head teacher at Westlands Community Primary School in Chelmsford, said: "This programme has provided several of our more able pupils in the current Year 5 cohort to attend fortnightly English and maths lessons.

"The feedback from our pupils that have attended the workshops, and their parents, has been very positive.

"Not only has the programme proved to be challenging and stimulating but it has also enabled both schools to make good healthy links."

CCHS head teacher Nicole Chapman said: "As a school we recognise that we can benefit the local community by working closely as part of a team with local primary schools, by encouraging their students to aim high and to stretch their learning capabilities and hopefully develop a passion and a love of learning which will serve them well throughout their education and beyond."

The high school is also continuing its flourishing foreign language programme this academic year, which has already seen many mid-Essex schools benefit from the help and advice of Zena Coxon, its resident primary school language co-ordinator.

Her role is to actively promote and encourage the teaching of languages in nearly 20 mid-Essex primary schools by developing the linguistic abilities of primary teachers; provide ideas and help on lesson planning, and demonstrate teaching methods.

The scheme will kick off its 2008/09 programme with a technology workshop for the school's partner primary pupils to be held in the fully-equipped CCHS technology rooms today (Thursday). These will be followed by a science day and a modern foreign languages day later in the academic year.