12 Jul 2010
Gifted and Talented Day

Around 100 of the most able 15 year olds from across North Norfolk spent a day at Paston Sixth Form College on July 8th to take part in A-level master classes to experience what it will be like to study at A-level, and to compete in an inter-school challenge.  
 
The youngsters from Acle, Aylsham, Broadland, Cromer Flegg and North Walsham High Schools were welcomed to the College by the Principal, Peter Mayne, who challenged them to raise their eyes above the horizon and to think ambitiously about their futures and what they could achieve.  
In a "speed dating" exercise they had to find out as much as they could from students on Paston's programme for academic highflyers, "A+", about the road from year 10 to university, choosing courses at A-level and at universities, why dong really well in year 11 and getting top grades in GCSE is so important and the transition from GCSE to AS/A-level.  
 
The students then went into master classes in science, the social sciences, maths, Literature and drama, and film and media.. Another group spent the day in a creative writing workshop with author Hayley Long, who teaches English at Paston. 
After lunch the students lock horns in an inter school challenge involving thinking skills exercises, general knowledge and Sudoku. This was won by North Walsham High with Broadland as runners up.  
 
General verdict: a really great day and something very special.

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