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North Essex: mystery of gifted children
SCORES of parents are unaware that their children are on a school register of gifted pupils.
Schools are choosing not to tell parents their child's name appears on a list of exceptionally bright pupils.
Under the Gifted and Talented Scheme, each school is required to nominate its top ten per cent to be put on a list so the Government can track their progress.
However, the school is not obliged to tell parents which children are on that list.
The Gazette spoke to 15 north Essex primary schools of which nine said they informed parents and six chose not to.
Jeff Graham, head teacher at St James's Primary School, which is developing its register for September, said: "We believe it is about being open and honest.
"We will be informing parents if their child is on a more able list."
Caroline Perkins, Friars Grove Infants School, Colchester, said: "As long as the parents are aware their child is particularly able in a subject and the school is providing for them then that is sufficient."
George Wright, a Brightlingsea Colne Community School pupil, is on his school's gifted and talented register. The 12-year-old, of Wheatlands, Elmstead Market, is also a Mensa member.
His father, Tim Wright, 45, said: "Lots of information comes through the post from the school. We know all about him being on it and I think that's very important so we can support him."
:: Do you think parents should be told if their children are on the "gifted" list? Join the debate below.
7:41am Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: MrC, North Essex on 8:50am Tue 6 May 08
If kids are that gifted shouldn't they be at the Grammar or Girls High, as opposed to the Colne?
I suppose it's all relative.
If kids are that gifted shouldn't they be at the Grammar or Girls High, as opposed to the Colne?
I suppose it's all relative.
Posted by: a resident on 10:22am Tue 6 May 08
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a 'Normal' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a 'Normal' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?
Posted by: a student, colchester on 11:46am Tue 6 May 08
not everyone has the money to go to a grammer school. i was on the gifted and talented programme at the stanway and left with 15 GCSEs A-C so it proves that you dont need to go to a grammer school to achieve your potential its about the student and the parents supporting them.
not everyone has the money to go to a grammer school. i was on the gifted and talented programme at the stanway and left with 15 GCSEs A-C so it proves that you dont need to go to a grammer school to achieve your potential its about the student and the parents supporting them.
Posted by: Lol, Clacton on 11:47am Tue 6 May 08
We have a son who is gifted in mathematics.We would not send him to the Grammer for the following reasons
1.The school day becomes far too long when taking into consideration the amount of time added to a school day (usually 2 hours)when they are travelling to and from school.
2.Our local schools are not just for the lesser able children ,they are more than capable of functioning for children at a higher level as well as providing excellent opportunities for average children and those who 'struggle' a bit.
3.If youngsters are spending all day at a school in another area and travelling ,it leaves no free time for the pupils especially in the winter months when they never get the chance to get out in the daylight and meet school friends.Also they do not have the added bonus of having friends living nearby to spend social time with.
We are all different notes in the same song and all children should be encouraged to attend the school local to them ,that way they can intergrate into their local society.
Some of the brightest children I know all attend the local schools and flourish .
We have a son who is gifted in mathematics.We would not send him to the Grammer for the following reasons
1.The school day becomes far too long when taking into consideration the amount of time added to a school day (usually 2 hours)when they are travelling to and from school.
2.Our local schools are not just for the lesser able children ,they are more than capable of functioning for children at a higher level as well as providing excellent opportunities for average children and those who 'struggle' a bit.
3.If youngsters are spending all day at a school in another area and travelling ,it leaves no free time for the pupils especially in the winter months when they never get the chance to get out in the daylight and meet school friends.Also they do not have the added bonus of having friends living nearby to spend social time with.
We are all different notes in the same song and all children should be encouraged to attend the school local to them ,that way they can intergrate into their local society.
Some of the brightest children I know all attend the local schools and flourish .
Posted by: Colonial, Colchester on 11:58am Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]a resident[/bold] wrote:
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a 'Normal' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?[/quote] It is also to be hoped that they would know when to use a capital 'I' and be able to spell receiving!
a resident wrote:
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a 'Normal' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?
It is also to be hoped that they would know when to use a capital 'I' and be able to spell receiving!
Posted by: Hut 66 on 12:19pm Tue 6 May 08
Not that I am a pedant but Grammar is spelt with an "a" and not an "e". By the way I went to Stanway school.
Not that I am a pedant but Grammar is spelt with an "a" and not an "e". By the way I went to Stanway school.
Posted by: Lol on 1:22pm Tue 6 May 08
omg ,a spelling mistake ,my son will not let me live that one down.
Off now to tie barbed wire round my knickers and flagellate myself by the town fountain.
Humble apologies everyone.
omg ,a spelling mistake ,my son will not let me live that one down.
Off now to tie barbed wire round my knickers and flagellate myself by the town fountain.
Humble apologies everyone.
Posted by: a resident on 2:37pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]Colonial[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]a resident[/bold] wrote:
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a 'Normal' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?[/quote] It is also to be hoped that they would know when to use a capital 'I' and be able to spell receiving![/quote] ****!
Colonial wrote:
a resident wrote:
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a 'Normal' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?
It is also to be hoped that they would know when to use a capital 'I' and be able to spell receiving!
****!
Posted by: a resident on 2:41pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]a resident[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Colonial[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]a resident[/bold] wrote:
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a \'Normal\' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?[/quote] It is also to be hoped that they would know when to use a capital \'I\' and be able to spell receiving![/quote] ****![/quote] And for your information, before that swear filter blocked that word , it was most definitely spelt correctly:)
a resident wrote:
Colonial wrote:
a resident wrote:
By that remark i presume you believe that any child at a \'Normal\' school is beyond being bright. Snobish and outdated attitudes like yours went out with ark. Perhaps the reason they are gifted is partly because they are recieving a good standard of education at the school they are in?
It is also to be hoped that they would know when to use a capital \'I\' and be able to spell receiving!
****!
And for your information, before that swear filter blocked that word , it was most definitely spelt correctly:)
Posted by: Sally-Anne, Witham on 9:15pm Tue 6 May 08
Since when does money have anything to do with going to a Grammar school? That too is outdated thinking. If we can have specialist schools for sport, music, arts etc what is wrong with having a school with a specialism for academic ability. We should be proud of our future doctors and scientists, not put them down as "snobs" (a form of bulling I always had to put up with). Just as kids with special needs do better when they are managed in an environment that meets their needs so do gifted kids. If you have ever sat in a class room with 29 others that aren't that bothered about doing well/back-chat the teacher/goof off homework you'd think again.
Since when does money have anything to do with going to a Grammar school? That too is outdated thinking. If we can have specialist schools for sport, music, arts etc what is wrong with having a school with a specialism for academic ability. We should be proud of our future doctors and scientists, not put them down as "snobs" (a form of bulling I always had to put up with). Just as kids with special needs do better when they are managed in an environment that meets their needs so do gifted kids. If you have ever sat in a class room with 29 others that aren't that bothered about doing well/back-chat the teacher/goof off homework you'd think again.
Posted by: Mr S, Lexden on 9:42pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]MrC[/bold] wrote:
If kids are that gifted shouldn't they be at the Grammar or Girls High, as opposed to the Colne? I suppose it's all relative. [/quote] I agree, our son was identified by his cub leader as possibly being gifted & talented (being a teacher) we asked the school for some advice and was told that our son was intelligent but not gifted. On the headmasters advice he was not going to sit the 11+. Our son decided to work for this and sat the exam passing it and is thriving at Colchester Grammar. Had we listened to the headmaster we are sure he would not be achieving the success he is today and more to the point thoroughly enjoying every minute of his time there. As a parent follow your gut feelings, and allow your child to decide for themselves offering support and guidance.
MrC wrote:
If kids are that gifted shouldn't they be at the Grammar or Girls High, as opposed to the Colne? I suppose it's all relative.
I agree, our son was identified by his cub leader as possibly being gifted & talented (being a teacher) we asked the school for some advice and was told that our son was intelligent but not gifted. On the headmasters advice he was not going to sit the 11+. Our son decided to work for this and sat the exam passing it and is thriving at Colchester Grammar. Had we listened to the headmaster we are sure he would not be achieving the success he is today and more to the point thoroughly enjoying every minute of his time there. As a parent follow your gut feelings, and allow your child to decide for themselves offering support and guidance.
Posted by: G & T Man, Colchester on 9:44am Wed 7 May 08
The original story was about whether or not schools should tell parents that their child is on the G & T register. The answer to that is an unequivocal "YES"! Education at all levels is about partnership and parental involvement. Gifted children can often create parenting problems, getting proper identification of their gifts and talents is important. If schools fail to share this information with parents they are doing them no favours.
Unfortunately many gifted children go unidentified and endure boredom, frustration and bullying for much of their school life. In many cases it is because of a culture in this country which seems to say its OK to be good at sport but is not cool to be clever academically!
Incidentally this Friday is "It's Allright to be Bright Day", when schools and others are encouraged to recognise that it is cool to be clever. This is organised by the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC). I wonder how many of our local schools are taking part?
The original story was about whether or not schools should tell parents that their child is on the G & T register. The answer to that is an unequivocal "YES"! Education at all levels is about partnership and parental involvement. Gifted children can often create parenting problems, getting proper identification of their gifts and talents is important. If schools fail to share this information with parents they are doing them no favours.
Unfortunately many gifted children go unidentified and endure boredom, frustration and bullying for much of their school life. In many cases it is because of a culture in this country which seems to say its OK to be good at sport but is not cool to be clever academically!
Incidentally this Friday is "It's Allright to be Bright Day", when schools and others are encouraged to recognise that it is cool to be clever. This is organised by the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC). I wonder how many of our local schools are taking part?
Posted by: Feisty CBC, Colchester on 7:31pm Wed 7 May 08
If your child is under achieving at school they do not necessarily have dyslexia. More likey, they are just dumb, thick or stoopid! [italic](ex Colne and SCL student)[/italic]
If your child is under achieving at school they do not necessarily have dyslexia. More likey, they are just dumb, thick or stoopid!
(ex Colne and SCL student) Posted by: Feisty CBC, Colchester on 7:36pm Wed 7 May 08
p.s. spot the typo lol
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