Can anyone tell me what the point of Gifted & Talented Physical Education programme is?

[newweeknewname]

One of my Ds' has been selected as G&T in PE at his primary school. He's been invited to go to an academy in the holidays to do some stuff...not sure what, the teachers have been very vague (suspect they don't know either )

I know my son is sporty, he does lots of activities - so my question is, what is the point of the G&T for PE? where is it leading to? or is it just another tick box for the education authority?

Anyone got any experience of this?!

[PuzzleRocks]

Bumping for you.

[lijaco]

The point is that he could achieve competitive status for himself and school. Who knows what the future could bring!

[scienceteacher]

To identify future Olympians?

I really don't know what you find controversial about this. There is lots of talent spotting going on.

[cory]

Sounds like this little boy is really outstanding at something then. Dd has a friend a bit like that, apparently tipped for a place in the Olympic team.

[newweeknewname]

I'm not trying to be controversial - it's just that there's so little information on the programme and so I have no idea where it is heading towards.

For instance, what are they talent spotting for? Are they going to suggest particular sports for him to focus on?

Does anyone have a DC who has been through this scheme?!

[piscesmoon]

Is there a difference in picking a DC for PE than maths then or art? I would thought it equally valid. He must have a natural talent that is worth fostering.

[mimsum]

ds is on his school's G&T for sports programme - so far, to be honest, it hasn't meant very much - although I suspect it makes it easier to ask for dispensation to miss school events if they clash with a gala (he's a swimmer) and it means he gets 'outstanding' on his report for PE which makes him happy

I think it also depends on how young your ds is - eg when ds2 was in y2 we had scouts come in from Wimbledon who assessed all the kids in y2 in tennis-related skills and a couple of them were then invited onto a programme at Wimbledon

at different ages different sports will be looking for different things (sorry too many differents there )

[newweeknewname]

Thanks Mimsmum, that's helpful to know. As my DS hasn't been chosen for any one particular sport, I'm guessing they will give us / him some feedback as to which types of sports he is likely to excel at.

He is, of course, busy planning his future in the premier league!

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

One of DD1's friends is on this sort of programme. AFAIK the idea is to allow them to try different things and see what they might excel at with a view to reaching competitive standard. She is a very talented all-rounder and I think has had a chance to try stuff that she might not have got an opportunity to do at school.