Curriculum Enhancement Programme at St Bede’s.

This programme is founded on the belief that, in specific ways, each of us is unique: students have all kinds of minds which deserve a very wide range of opportunities.

The school’s overall philosophy states: ‘success…comes mostly from being able to demonstrate the talents which each person possesses.’ So this programme seeks to enhance the flourishing of the kinds of minds academically able pupils have within that philosophy. How, then, do we assist our students to fulfill the immense potential some undoubtedly have, whilst ensuring attention to their emotional, imaginative and social development?

Well, in three key ways:
First, we try to assess students as completely as possible, keeping their individuality and rounded development firmly in mind and by avoiding labels, like ‘Gifted and Talented’, which may lead to a standardised approach masking the vital, unique and, sometimes, changing interests, passions and aptitudes our students possess. This rounded assessment also strives hard to keep an eye on a student’s immediate experience of learning whilst, at the same time, holding a possible future (e.g. an Oxbridge ambition) in view.

Second, at the beginning of the 21st century, we are always asking questions, from broad, general ones such as:

• What kind of learners are the academically able young people of today?

• And what kind of autonomous learners will they need to be for a frequently changing and complex world?

To practical ones like:

• What is the best programme we can offer this exceptional child today?

And, of course, many more questions in between.

Third, we are committed to identifying and extending potential in wider cultural and social contexts. For example, a National Programme Young Gifted and Talented (http://ygt.dcsf.gov.uk/) is searching for ability in young people, offering master classes and summer schools to foster it. National museums and art galleries, too, are beginning to run differentiated workshops or seminars for bright, interested young people. Our students are actively encouraged to join in these wider communities as well.

Most importantly, we are dedicated to finding ways of helping all our students to flourish.
If this sounds like a programme for your son or daughter you will enjoy finding out more about us.

For further information contact Lisa Dart: lisa.dart@stbedesschool.org