More Able and Talented (MAT)
More Able and Talented
The national definition of a MAT student is:
“Children and young people with one or more abilities developed to a level significantly ahead of their peers, or with the potential to develop those abilities and to achieve at the highest levels through challenging learning opportunities and an enriched curriculum”
The term ‘More Able and Talented’ is used in Wales to describe pupils with abilities developed to a level substantially ahead of their peers or with such potential. These pupils may require enriched and extended opportunities within the classroom as well as across all areas of their education, to further develop their abilities across areas of learning and experience. These pupils include those who are more able across the curriculum, as well as those who are particularly talented in one or more subjects or areas such as music, drama, art or sport.
At Lewis School Pengam, we provide a curriculum that is appropriate for the abilities of our learners. This includes allowing all learners to achieve the highest standards using a range of teaching and learning methods. MAT learners are provided with enrichment opportunities and to further their aspirations, whilst being supported with any challenges they may face.
How We Identify MAT Learners
MAT learners are identified by class teachers, lead MAT teachers and the senior leadership team using a range of qualitative and quantitative data which includes:
- Information from primary schools
- Data which predicts outcomes
- Scores from national literacy and numeracy tests
- Achievements with progression statements (Curriculum for Wales)
- School target and tracking grades
- GCSE, AS and A-level results
- Progress with classwork
- The professional opinion of staff
- Flair or skill in creative or sporting contexts
- Exceptional personal and social skills, such as leadership skills.
The progress of the pupils who are identified is tracked regularly.
How Parents Can Support MAT Learners
- Be interested in what your child is learning.
- Work with your child to manage their workload, along with their activities outside school.
- Encourage your child to have a learning routine at home such as when and where they do their school work.
- Encourage your child to have time to switch off from their school work.
- Allow your child to make decisions about their own learning;
- When opportunities arise, encourage your child to participate in workshops, master classes, events in school.
- Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Openly talk about mental health and well-being at home and encourage them to share their emotions.
- Encourage your child to accept that we all learn from our mistakes.
- Avoid comparing your child to siblings.
Top Tips for MAT Learners
- Don’t become consumed by work and learning. Ensure that you have time for your interests, exercise, family and friends.
- The work set by teachers in school and at home is likely to be challenging and appropriate for your ability, but if you feel it isn’t, talk to your teachers.
- Don’t waste time worrying about things that are outside of your control. Focus on what you can do and not what you cannot.
- Engage with your peers. It is vital to interact socially with your peers and share your experiences of blended learning, remote learning and the new normal way of learning.
- Check in with yourself and really consider ‘how are you feeling?’ It’s important to talk about your feelings in and outside of school and to admit when you’re finding things difficult. We all can struggle. Be aware of who you can turn to when you’re finding things difficult in school