Gifted and Talented scheme launched

A brand new initiative aimed at Gifted and Talented primary pupils in the Clifton and Rawcliffe area was launched at Vale of York Academy last week.

The VOYAGE scheme, which stands for Vale of York Academy Gifted Enterprise, saw Year 5 pupils from Clifton Green, Burton Green, Clifton With Rawcliffe and Lakeside primary schools start a series of six challenging workshops last week. The first session centred around Computer Programming and Science. Each session results in the pupils achieving a pass, merit or distinction based on their performance.

Rob Orr, Community Coordinator and organiser of the programme, explained “In my role, I get to go into primary schools and can see the huge potential that this area of the city has, which sometimes goes unrecognised outside of the catchment area. I set VOYAGE up because I wanted Vale of York Academy to not only support the great work being done by our local primary schools, but to give these talented pupils the added belief that they can and will achieve great things in the future.”

Vale of York Academy’s ICT teacher, Dan Padgham, who ran the first VOYAGE session said “I was hugely impressed by the ability, enthusiasm and resilience of the Year 5s who attended the first session.”

The scheme will culminate in a graduation event in the summer of 2018.