The Excellence Partnership, based on the original Excellence in Cities model consists of:

Gifted and Talented Strand
Supporting Gifted and Talented Coordinators in schools to provide for their gifted (academically) and talented (in the arts and sport) students within and outside the classroom.

Learning Mentor Strand
Training and supporting the increasing number of Learning Mentors in schools who offer guidance and support to vulnerable students through group work, and on an individual basis.

Tailored Strand
Encouraging schools to provide enrichment opportunities both within and beyond the school setting, thereby enhancing curriculum provision and beginning to support schools and students during periods of Transition and Transfer.

The Excellence Partnership Team works with all schools across the city. Further afield, some members belong to an East Midlands group which organises regional events for Able, Gifted and Talented students ~ the details being provided to students and their parents via city schools.

The team works alongside Aimhigher! whose support this year has enabled: an identified group of students to attend a Writer’s Conference at Derby University; The Urban Talent Showcase at The Darwin Suite, a celebration of the achievements of talented students working intensively with arts practitioners; and a Talent Conference for school staff.

The Derby Children’s University is strongly supported by the Excellence Partnership, as a means of extending children’s experiences beyond National Curriculum boundaries in both academic subjects and the arts. In conjunction with the Family and Out of Lesson Time Learning team they have devised this year’s Summer Schools.