SIBFORD PUPILS CONNECT WITH LIKE MINDED STUDENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

21 Feb 2013

Talented pupils at Sibford School near Banbury are being offered the chance to become part of a new international social network for gifted 13 to 18 year olds.
The International Gateway for Gifted Youth ~ or IGGY ~ is designed to develop and stretch critical thinking skills and to help members reach their full potential.

Developed by the University of Warwick, which has a long history of encouraging bright students, IGGY allows pupils to work with top academics and collaborate with other gifted teenagers around the world. Members can create their own profiles, make friends, access educational resources, exchange ideas, debate, learn and explore.

On Thursday (7 February) Lawrence Leith of IGGY visited Sibford School to conduct a workshop with pupils and to show them how to navigate the site.

Anna Jo Lawrence, who heads the Gifted and Talented programme at Sibford School said: “This is a very exciting project and I hope our pupils will embrace it and make the most of the opportunities offered

“IGGY encourages pupils to take responsibility for their own additional learning outside of the classroom. Members gain points for participation and achievement in the challenges and tasks, and can track progress on their profile page. They will also get feedback from fellow students and from IGGY’s student mentors.

“In addition, as of last month, IGGY members are now able to apply for accreditation in the form of the IGGY Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. These awards are endorsed by the University of Warwick and could be a terrific asset when students start completing their university applications.”

Added Lawrence Leith: “It’s an exciting prospect to be working with Sibford School just as IGGY is really beginning to take flight and the community is starting to flourish.

“We’ve only been going since October and already we have 900 members. By the end of the year we hope to have some 15,000 members from all over the world, next week, for example, we are meeting with the Education Department in Pakistan to discuss how their gifted and talent students can get involved.”

Pictured: IGGY’s Lawrence Leith with Sibford pupils Henry Moss and Aaron Pim.