Focus on Talented Young Learners!

An innovative education programme aimed at ‘more able and talented’ learners in Pembrokeshire was the focus of a recent conference for county councillors.

Pupils, teachers and education experts gave presentations to elected members demonstrating the growing impact of the Council’s approach to stretch more able and talented students.

Speaking at the conference, Cllr Sue Perkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding, said: “We have an obligation to work together to improve the achievements of all learners.

“This must also include a commitment to build upon the very best education practices worldwide to covert the ambitions of our talented learners into outstanding results.”

She said local schools had benefitted from working with Ian Warwick, author and international expert in developing able and talented learners.

“Ian has helped us examine how we meet the needs of these students and introduce challenges so that they thrive – otherwise, there is clear evidence that able learners can coast, lose interest and fail to achieve,” said Cllr Perkins.

“The work to improve the results of our more able and talented learners is now integral to the Pembrokeshire approach.”

Some of the work taking place includes creating teaching resources to support teachers to build excellence and achieve outstanding results, and ensuring expert advice is available for all schools, learners and parents.

The Council has also created a website which provides advice and classroom resources which have been proven to stretch, engage and enthuse young learners (www.matwales.org)

Adam Lopez, deputy head teacher of Tavernspite CP School, said: “The real strength of the programme is the quality of school to school collaboration and support.”

This was exemplified in a presentation by Maxine Thomas of Pembrokeshire College who explained how all Pembrokeshire secondary schools and the college are working together to improve education experiences and choices for young people locally.

“A recent success of this collaboration is the decision to host the prestigious BIG BANG Engineering Education Scheme Wales event in the Bridge Innovation centre in October,” said Alastair Birch, Community Schools Co-ordinator.

“For the first time, engineering employers, top universities and national engineering bodies will be visiting Pembrokeshire and providing our young people with their best-ever opportunity to encounter leading-edge science, technology and engineering.”

Cllr Sue Perkins said it was a ‘pleasure to see the way that we are innovating to provide the very best opportunities for the young people of Pembrokeshire’.

“This work is practical and effective and I am grateful to our schools working so successfully in partnership with our education service officers on behalf of young people, families and communities,” she added.

All councillors who attended the conference rated it as ‘excellent’, with many praising the enthusiasm and expertise of the speakers.