Able, Gifted, and Talented

At Hilden Oaks, able, gifted, and talented pupils thrive in an environment where their abilities are recognised, valued, supported and encouraged.

We are very fortunate to have a broad selection of able, talented and gifted children who have attended Hilden Oaks, and who are currently on roll.

For example; academically, pupils find challenge within able cohorts. However, occasionally that is still not enough to challenge exceptional students, even after personalised learning from specialist teachers. In these cases, we work closely with families to arrange either part of the timetable, or occasionally all of the timetable, to be taught with the year above.

 In music, we have an exceptional violinist who plays with the National Children’s Orchestra, and who has won a place at the Royal Academy of Music. We have worked with the family to agree different timings for homework submission, to enable him to complete his practice and attend rehearsals.

In sport, despite being a small school, we have a swimmer who holds national records, a diver who trains with Tom Daley and competes nationally, and in the past, pupils who have been selected for the national netball squad. Once again, we work with the families to agree releases from school to attend training, and work out personal homework schedules that support their training at this level.

Occasionally, our talented actors and actresses are called to audition for films or adverts, or pass auditions to appear in pantomimes. Where necessary, we work with the tutors on the set, to provide work to ensure that the academic studies are not neglected during the run of the show.

 We are also very proud of our pupils who have won national competitions. We have had two finalists in the BBC 500 word competition—including a bronze medal winner.

High achievement is considered ‘normal’ at Hilden Oaks and pupils are encouraged and supported by their peers and find friendship within the Hilden Oaks family. Sport and Music Scholars are selected each year, and receives additional support for their talent.

We also work closely with parents, to ensure that their child moves to a secondary school that will continue to support their child, and help with the application for scholarships at that level too.