The Winstedt School

Leading Bespoke, Inclusive, and Holistic Education for Diverse Learners

Curie-Einstein Programme

A Programme For the Twice Exceptional

The Winstedt School’s Curie-Einstein Program is designed specifically for twice-exceptional students. The term “twice-exceptional,” also referred to as “2e,” is used to describe children who have the characteristics of gifted students with the potential for high achievement and give evidence of one or more learning difference(s). Across the globe, students who fall under this umbrella are known to be at a disadvantage, despite their talents. In some cases, twice-exceptional children may use their strengths and gifts to mask their learning challenges, while in other cases, these children’s learning differences may mask their giftedness. The program aims to support 2e students by leveraging their strengths, gifts and interests while fostering their social-emotional and executive functioning skills.   

The Curie-Einstein Programme was conceptualized with 2e students in mind who demonstrate obvious strengths in academics and/or the arts. There is no such programme that currently exists in Singapore (nor the region that Winstedt is aware of). Ironically, in spite of their obvious strengths as learners, 2e students often languish in school unless teachers can provide them with more than the challenges of the usual curriculum. A student who is precociously advanced in reading, for example, may make little further progress at reading if her teachers do not recognise and develop her skill; her talent may effectively disappear from view as her peers gradually catch up to her initial level. Without special accommodation to their unusual level of skill or knowledge, students who are gifted or talented can become bored by school, and eventually, the boredom can even turn into behavioural problems.

This unique Programme – a first in Singapore, addresses the complete 2e student and not just the talent. The Curie-Einstein Programme invests substantial resources in developing the whole child – socially, emotionally and cognitively. An experienced team of practitioners across the board remain in consult throughout, serving the changing needs of every 2e child in this bespoke programme. The 2e student groups are provided with weekly customised pull-out sessions during the school year.

According to best practice approaches for supporting 2e students, schools should adopt a strengths-based approach that considers the whole child (Davidson Institute, 2020). This approach is two-fold, focusing first, on the child as a gifted individual who deserves opportunities to develop his/her talents and interests, and second, on providing the child with appropriate support to address his/her areas of challenge. In line with a strengths-based approach, at Winstedt, we believe in the importance of providing 2e students with opportunities to nurture their strengths, interests and talents while further developing their social-emotional and executive functioning skills.

The Curie-Einstein Program is student-focused, interests-based, and strengths-based. During the program, students will work on a project that ties their interests to one or more United Nations Sustainability Development Goal(s) (UN SDGs) of their choosing. Students may work on their project individually or in a small group. One period a week, students will meet with their 2e teacher who will guide them on their project.

The program will focus on developing students’ social-emotional and executive functioning skills in the following areas:

  • Time Management
  • Planning and Goal setting
  • Emotion Management
  • Communication and Interpersonal skills
  • Grit and Problem-Solving

The outcomes of the Curie-Einstein Programme will be measured according to The Winstedt School’s Executive Functioning Rubric.

These social-emotional and executive functioning skills will be assessed at three points during the program. A pre-assessment will be conducted at the start of the program, followed by a mid-program assessment and end-of-program assessment.

Throughout the program, students will have several opportunities to engage with various stakeholders (peers, teachers, and adults). This includes sharing about their project with peers and adults, providing and receiving peer feedback, engaging with project content mentors, etc.

To find out more about the Programme, please contact us at admissions@winstedt.edu.sg.

We provide scholarships for 2e students to participate in the Curie-Einstein Programme. To learn more about whether your child qualifies, please contact our Admissions Office at admissions@winstedt.edu.sg and make sure to start the application process with us for admission.

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