More able and talented

At THS, we want to really stretch and challenge our Most Able and Talented (MAT) students. Students are identified as MAT if they have 3 or more targets of grades 7-9, or 3 or more flight paths of grades 7-9, or if they have shown a particular aptitude in a specific subject or sport. We are very proud to have over 300 MAT students at THS!

We want to ensure that all aspects of MAT (academic, creative, sporting, social, and leadership) are recognised, catered for, and celebrated. We have a whole school philosophy for meeting the needs of more able and talented students, and this is something which is understood and shared by all staff. Ultimately, we want to empower our more able and talented students to be autonomous, life-long learners, and to reach for the stars.

As a school, we focus on ‘in class’ quality first teaching strategies to stretch and challenge our MAT students: creating independence and deepening their thinking. This is complimented with a variety of ‘out of class’ enrichment opportunities, throughout their time at THS. Examples of recent enrichment opportunities include:

• MAT assemblies
• Exeter College’s Reach Academy Trip
• The Scholars Programme with graduation event at Exeter University
• Blundells Public Speaking event
• Debate Club
• The Maths Challenge
• Exeter Maths School – MAT workshops, Saturday School, holiday activities
• Bristol Bears Rugby Academy event
• The Great Debate competition
• Rocket Day
• Biochemistry Challenge
• Next Steps South West trip to Exeter University
• STEM workshop at Petroc College