Date: 30.04.2002 Ref: 1338 Press contact: John Harrison Tel: 020 7926 2440 Email: jharrison@lambeth.gov.uk Press Release Talented pupils supported well at Lilian Baylis(posted 8028 days ago)The teaching of 'gifted and talented' pupils at Lilian Baylis School in KENNINGTON has been singled out for praise by Ofsted inspectors as part of a national inspection of inner city schools.
Inspectors fed back to teachers and governors after a visit that concentrated on the support that the school offered to more able pupils.
The results in drama at Lilian Baylis are impressive. At any one time, twenty students outside of Year 11 are studying for a GCSE and can expect to get an GCSE A*-C.
Excellence in Cities, which is a government initiative aimed at raising achievement in inner city schools, funds an ambitious programme at Lilian Baylis, and other schools in Lambeth, to support 'gifted and talented' pupils. It was this programme at Lilian Baylis that Ofsted inspected.
Inspectors told governors they were impressed by the early entry to maths and drama GCSEs and the tutoring arrangements.
The school has developed a policy of using outside mentors to help pupils focus on achievement. These mentors are drawn from South Bank University and local businesses.
Lilian Baylis has fostered a strong link with the university and last week 120 Year nine students visited the Elephant and Castle campus to utilise the facilities for their own version of 'Silent Witness'. The pupils were able to study police evidence and carry out their own forensic investigation.
Another successful visit for able pupils in Year 10 was to Lambeth College, where they studied engineering and developed a robotic mouse with in-built sensors to follow a light source.
Gary Phillips, the headteacher of Lilian Baylis, said: "Lilian Baylis herself, who founded the Old Vic theatre, would be proud of how the school bearing her name was doing in drama. All of the staff and students are extremely pleased that OfSTED found so much to praise in the way we support gifted and talented pupils. The feedback session we had with the inspectors was illuminating and encouraging. We have strong partnerships with universities and colleges to ensure our most able pupils are really stretched."
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