Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

At Scots we are committed to assisting all students to reach their full potential academically, emotionally and socially.  We recognise that a gifted and talented student may or may not possess high intelligence, but will demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, exceptionality in relation to their peers of the same age, culture or circumstances.  A student may be gifted in one or more areas and his gifts and talents will emerge at times and in circumstances that are unique to that student.

Students across the Junior school take part in differentiated learning that pitches learning at that of the boys ability. In any one lesson or class content difficulty may be increased or decreased based on the needs of the student. Learning through inquiry also lends itself to gifted and talented learning experiences as open ended questions are asked and the boys are involved in rigorous learning provocations where they access and use various approaches to learning. In the case of particular learning needs diagnostic data is collected at various points during the student’s schooling.  Once data has been analysed an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may be drawn up to assist the student, teacher and parent in supporting learning.  The IEP assists subject teachers to develop strategies within their lessons to ensure that the boys can achieve their potential.  Gifted and talented students are also encouraged to take part in a wide range of enrichment activities organised by the different subject areas.