Revised handbook for leading teachers for gifted and talented education

Monday 22/12/2008

An essential resource from the National Strategies offers clear, practical guidance for teachers leading on gifted and talented provision in their school. The revised ‘Leading Teacher Handbook’ addresses the dual aspects of the role: supporting improvements in teaching and learning for gifted and talented pupils and ensuring focused whole-school strategic planning.

The handbook is structured around the five elements of personalised learning and the DCSF Institutional Quality Standards for gifted and talented education. In addition to practical guidance, the handbook contains the following features:

• Key messages – overview of the main points; useful for sharing with senior leaders
• In-school case studies – mini school-based case studies bring to life how schools are implementing effective practice
• Leading teachers’ strategies – leading teachers reveal strategies and approaches that have been helpful in improving provision
• Questions to consider – points for reflection when developing provision
• Did you know? – signposts to useful resources, websites, guidance, organisations and opportunities
• CD ROM – documents and checklists adaptable to suit local circumstances.

Carol Singh, Senior Regional Adviser (Gifted and Talented Programme) for the National Strategies, said: “Personalised learning is at the heart of our gifted and talented programme and every primary and secondary school should have access to a trained leading teacher. A National Strategies training programme delivered by Local Authorities is available, together with a range of materials to support this important role in schools.”

The ‘Leading Teacher Handbook’ can be ordered from www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications or DCSF publications by calling 0845 60 222 60 or emailing dcsf@prolog.uk.com and quoting ref: 00577-2008FLR-EN.

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Note to editors:
The National Strategies’ aim is to raise standards of achievement and rates of progression for children and young people in all phases and settings in England through personalised learning with a particular focus on the core subjects and early years.

For further information please contact:
Jane Parrack at the National Strategies on 0118 918 2617 or email jane.parrack@nationalstrategies.co.uk