What does being on the G&T register mean for your child?

[peanutbutterkid]

I mean, what extra (if anything) does the school do to extend the child?

DD (y2) does literacy with the Yr3-4s (there are 3 groups of Y3-4s, each sized about 25 children, and she is in the middle ability group).

She's in top sets for other subjects, within her usual class, but I think of that as a fairly ordinary thing (not just G&T thing).

[cory]

The extension work dd got was for being in top set, not for being on the G&T register. They did some very good work in top set in primary school, particularly in Yr 6 maths where they were doing some Yr 8 and Yr 9 stuff.

There was a lunchtime club for the G&T children but she preferred to spend her lunchtime in the open air so never went.

[goldilocksandmylittlebear]

Sadley many schools just name 10%, which they HAVE too and not alot happens after that!

Some children will therefore be G&T in one school and not in another!

[christywhisty]

DD (yr6) got taken out to do stretching maths ie problem solving rather than just harder work. She has also had masterclasses at the local secondary school and a summer school.

DS (YR 8) had access to various summer schools, which he couldn't attend because of transport problems, but he wanted to go.

[southeastastra]

lol at 'extending the child'

[cory]

True, southeastastra. Dd is already quite tall enough.

[alleve]

Secondary school does very little except compile a list. One visit to a science challenge in 3 1/2 years.

[Squirdle]

We had a letter home today saying that DS1 (yr10) has been put onto the G&T list (hopefully gifted and talented NOT gin and tonic )

It just says that his tutors are aware of this and as a result should be setting work which is suitably challenging and that they would be reviewing his progress over the year. I kind of expect them to provide work which is suitably challenging anyway!

He was on the G&T list all through primary school and tbh, I don't really think it meant that much, just that he is bright...which we figured out all on our own anyway!

Obviously I am pleased he does so well and I have congratulated him, but as long as he gains the grades he is capable of getting by putting in the work and effort he needs to, then I don't really care what list he is on. If he does the best he can, then that is all I ask.

[Squirdle]

Oh and DS2 is doing Yr2 Maths and Literacy in Yr1 but as far as I am aware he isn't on the G&T list.

[throckenholt]

our school has the approach that every child is special and needs individual attention so they don't make a big deal of G&T - so much so that I am pretty sure my kids are probably on the list but no-one has ever mentioned it.

[Litchick]

It seems that most schools do FA. But it might still be worth identifying them in order to see how it ends up in the end no?
Would be aprticulary useful to see how disadvantaged kids on the register faired, I think.

[peanutbutterkid]

I know that the head teacher discussed DD individually (may have been discussing many others individually, too, but HT was part of a consultation on DD, anyway).

I am tempted to dismiss the G&T register as nothing but more form filling, but I suppose it does potentially create a chain of accountability (paper trail) attached to that individual child -- "They were aware this child needed above average work, so how did they respond?" kind of thing.

Cory, what did the lunchtime G&T club get up to?

[cory]

No idea. Dd wasn't interested enough to find out. But I think they did things in the computer suite.

Dd is one of those children who will stretch themselves, with the help of a library card and a notebook (for writing stories), so I have never been worried that she won't get stretched.

[peanutbutterkid]

Ah, my DD is different. She will quietly sit in the back, never raise her hand even if she knows the answer, and would happily practise writing capital letters when she could easily be writing long stories in gramarically (sp?) sentences. I think I'm perhaps very lucky, I seem to read a lot on MN about bright children getting bored and acting up, DD is happy to bumble along.

Would happily spend most of her time trying to figure out how to kiss her current boyfriend without him or the teacher noticing ;).

[cory]

Yeah, dd doesn't really do the getting bored and acting up thing either. Though as far as I know she hasn't got to the kissing stage either. Perhaps she's not that bright after all ?

[mysterymoniker]

my middle daughter found it really stressful, it was one more ideal to try and keep up with (she has other problems) but she did enjoy a summer school type thing organised via a nearby university

post gcses she is settling well at sixth form and we haven't had any G&T type stuff since last year

[lijaco]

I find that most kids labelled g & t are very easy going and don't get bored at all within class. It is usually the under achivers who get bored easily and act up in my experience.

[mummypig]

It has made f* a** difference to my kids. I think their school must take the approach goldilocks outlined . Both boys could really do with being stretched more. But I am moving them next term anyway.

[cory]

IME stretching has always been related to being in top set, not to being labelled G&T. The top set maths teacher last year was very keen; they were doing Yr 8 and 9 stuff in Yr 6. So the G&T thing wasn't really needed.

[Riponite]

But if they are doing stuff two years ahead further down the school, do they come to an abrupt halt to let everyone ele catch up at 16, or are they allowed to take those GCSEs early? Having done so, if they do, is the school going to schedule anything useful with their spare time those lessons for two years?

[cory]

You mean me?

Ah, dd moved to secondary where the level of maths is much lower. She has asked for extension work and has been promised she will get it.

Am not especially keen for her to do the GCSE early; would rather they gave her extension work and maybe when she is older I could help to provide some too.

They did mention she might do GCSE early and then do another one in statistics. I think we'll wait and see how it goes. I am not particularly worried by the thought of dd being under-stretched at age 16; she can always do more GCSEs in that case, or find herself a new hobby.

[CarofromWton]

My DD1 (Year 5) was told today she has been registered as G&T for Maths and Literacy and she was delighted! TBH so are we! Not sure it will do much for her academically but the important thing is it seems to have given her a confidence lift. Whilst she has always been bright she lacks self-confidence and I strive to help her believe in herself.

We have been given a pack of info from the school with a couple of goodies - bookmark, membership card etc to the exclusive G&T website, which DD1 has been enjoying the games on tonight, so that's ok.

I must admit though I can't work out how the G&T children have been selected. Yes, DD1 has always been in the top sets and we were informed last year by her teacher that she was being considered for G&T in Maths, but another girl who has always seemed way ahead of the others in the class for Maths, only got selected G&T for Literacy! Another girl who has always achieved similar levels to DD1 hasn't been selected at all!

Seems a bit hap-hazard, but I'm not about to burst DD's bubble.

[katiek123]

ah - i suddenly remember now that DD came home with some G&T bumf a few weeks ago and it involved a website - went onto it, didn't need any registration as far as i could see, in any case seemed way above her head at 7, so i promptly forgot all about it, as has DD. seems very bloody haphazard to me too, at least at our school. not been mentioned by any of the teachers, and i suspect the whole class got the info - certainly my DD's good friend (who, to be frank, is not especially bright) got the pack too acc. to DD. am confused. will ask teacher if i remember.

[MincePirate]

tbh i have no idea. She's on it for literacy, yet all i've had the past few weeks are tears because she doesn't find maths as easy, whereas spelling and reading are 2nd nature to her.

The teacher seems to have forgotten her, and i had to point this out that just becuase she suppsosedly shines in one area doesn't make her a freak einstein!!