Right, I have got used to this now, and have quickly developed a thick skin....

[Catnao]

Am I being unreasonable to have read the threads in "Education - Gifted and Talented", and think that parents on there, for the most part, have missed the point, and think "gifted and talented" means academically bright?

Glad to hear it . Only I could imagine someone in your (sibling) position might have a lot of unsaid lines like "so you think you're SO special do you? ha! ", bursting to come out (even only as thoughts) to a few kids!

Nah - I am MUCH better looking than him, and am more jealous of the youngest one who is thick as pig s*it and has modelled for Calvin Klein.

Surely he is the one who is "gifted"? The rest of us are pretty minging, so someone at least gifted him that?

My son was 'diagnosed!!' G+T at his state primary, for English and Maths yr 5. Nothing came of it. Not really a believer in all this, peer friendship way more important. He moved for yr6 to independent school- his choice. Lots of clever boys there. It is all relative, and I agree with you, clever, but not 'gifted'

I am very impressed by your self deprecating attitude! No need tho, well all have our hang-ups

I thought I read here a few years ago that 'gifted' is meant for some types of thing and 'talented' for others. Gifted at music and talented at sports? Something like that?

I went to an idependent secondary school, as did all of my brothers.
Twin: Top, even there.
Me: Average to top at mine.
Brothers 2 and 3: Average and good at games and popular.
Brother 4: Bottom in everything except sport, and bullied for being thick, and after the injury that stopped his hopes of a career in Rugby, disaffected and criminal.

Other than my twin, we all swapped to state by choice at sixth form. Except littlest, who swapped for juvenile detention.

Be careful about your vicarious dreams for your kids....

I don't understand pushy parents, my brother was def G+T in the true sence of the term. He did an engineering -trilingual degree at Southampton. 10 yrs later he is burnt out and unemployed (only because he doesn't apply). He would have been happier less clever.

I love my parents very much- but think they made mistakes with some of our education as they were very academic, and didn't value non -academic stuff as much. My littlest brother is now 25 and doing very well teaching English...abroad, as a CRB check would prevent him working in this country. Despite the fact that his offences are irrelevant. And he would have a lot to offer many kids at secondary schools these days - IF he was allowed to work in them, as he has life experience.