The Blyth School Community College hosts ‘Blyth’s Best’

 

Twenty eight Gifted Year 5 pupils, selected from each of the Blyth Primary Schools, attended The Blyth School Community College recently when the college acted as host to "Blyth's Best". The workshop, organised by Jayne Fitzsimmons, Transition Leader for the Blyth Schools, was the first workshop aimed and designed specifically for gifted and talented students.

 

In recent years, through the introduction of activities and events aimed at ‘Gifted and Talented’ students, there has been an emphasis on the provision of greater challenges through classroom lessons, combined with additional opportunities outside the classroom,  for pupils to further explore and develop their individual gifts and talents across the breadth of the curriculum

 

The Senior Leadership Team, staff and governors at The Blyth School believe it is essential to identify and nurture those children who demonstrate exceptional ability long before they join the college. By working closely in partnership with the feeder schools in Blyth, the college has been able to support children in their areas of excellence and to offer them opportunities across the academic year to develop their skills and talents through organised activities. Successful partnership working has been high on the agenda in recent years and, through her work with the Blyth Schools Partnership, Jayne Fitzsimmons, has ensured that effective links are now well established between the college and primary school partners.

 

 

Focus this term was on Science and on their visit to the college the children were given the opportunity to take part in Science workshops. Two challenges were set: to safely land an egg on Mars and to create a wind turbine to generate energy to transport cargo; particularly relevant at the moment with the development of renewables; a growth area in Blyth itself which could in time offer future employment opportunities for students and the local community.

 

In order to establish and build on existing knowledge and understanding pupils were encouraged to discuss their ideas and experiences of Science, as well as considering the role of Science in history and in society. This type of activity offers children and young adults exposure to and encourages development of higher-order thinking and questioning.

 

Throughout the experiments children were asked to use methods of observation, prediction, to use casual and correlational reasoning, application, synthesis and evaluation. Year 5 pupils were able to work along side Year 9 students, with support from Sixth Form students in Year 12. Particular emphasis was placed on creative thinking, whilst at the same time emphasising the need for encouraging the growth of critical thinking.

 

The Science Teachers inspired enthusiasm and, by acting as catalysts, were able to build the confidence of able learners. By sharing their enthusiasm and demonstrating their knowledge and passion for their subject area they were able to add breadth and depth to the subject; promoting independence in both thinking and learning and helping the students to develop the skills of reflection and self evaluation.

 

Activities are designed to focus on achievement, not just attainment; to offer personalised learning opportunities, encourage independence and self-assessment; extend and enrich the learning experience. By involving the wider learning communities, beyond the school environment, the college is able to instill into the children the sheer excitement of excellence and in so doing celebrate the joy of learning and, as individuals, of reaching their full potential.

 

Next term staff in The Blyth School Community College will be delivering workshops to Gifted and Talented students focusing on Numeracy and Literacy.

 

For further information on Blyth's Best Programme please contact Jayne Fitzsimmons at The Blyth School Community College on 01670 798100 – jfitzsimmons@bcc.uk.com