Information for schools

Gifted and talented children are best placed to thrive when their parents or carers and the school they attend work together to ensure their needs are met. Most able pupils flourish when they are presented with appropriately challenging activities, learning opportunities that interest them and time to relax, reflect and participate in social activities organised by the school or at home.

Communication between the home and the educational setting is very important. Parents and teachers see their children in very different settings and need to be aware of what the child is capable of achieving in different contexts.

In recent years, there have been many developments in provision for gifted and talented children. There is a wealth of information available locally and globally on this subject through the internet.

Many parents are surprised to discover how education has changed since they were at school and how much work is being done to support the nation’s most able young people. Most schools now have a policy detailing how the needs of their gifted and talented pupils are to be met and an increasing number of schools identify a member of staff to act as gifted and talented co-ordinator. All teachers are required to differentiate within their lessons, which means they must plan activities for pupils of all different abilities within the class or group. Many schools also provide additional activities such as clubs, masterclasses or summer schools.

All schools provide scheduled opportunities for parents and teachers to meet and discuss pupil progress. Reports are sent to parents at least annually, giving details of pupil attainment. If parents wish to have additional opportunities to discuss their child, schools will do their best to accommodate these requests. A useful checklist for parents when planning to contact a school is:

• Make an appointment. Teachers have to attend meetings or training sessions before and after school almost every day. Telephoning for an appointment ensures the person the parent wishes to speak to will be available.
• Give a reason for the request, for example to discuss progress in a particular subject, so that that everyone is clear what the meeting is to be about and can prepare appropriately.
• Speak to the class teacher (primary) or the year head or head of subject department (secondary) first.
• If the meeting is about provision for able pupils, begin by asking for information. For example, parents can ask what the school policy is, who looks after the needs of these pupils, how activities are planned, how the school ensures learning activities are appropriate, etc.
• If for any reason there are unresolved issues remaining, request a further meeting with the headteacher or school governors.

Parent networks

Several national networks are run by and for parents of able pupils. Most of them welcome contact and some parents have found them very helpful. Further advice for parents is available from the National Association for Gifted Children, (www.nagcbritain.org.uk).

Gifted Monthly

This is an independent monthly newsletter for parents of able children, run by the parent of an able child. The aim is to create a community of parents through the newsletter where successes and problems can be shared or simply where contact can be made with other parents in similar situations. There is an annual subscription.

For full details, contact the organiser directly through:

• email: info@giftedmonthly.com
• website: http://giftedmonthly.homestead.com.

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