annoying woman - would you tell an acquaintance this?

[Clary]

Bumped into a mum I know - not really a friend tho I have known her a while - this am and asked after her DS who is now in yr 2.

"Oh he's doing really well - and he's on the G&T register! Yes, for reading and for ICT! blah blah blah" lots more info about prodigal DS.

I was a bit tho I said oh yes, he's such a good reader isn't he. I am certainly very abotu G&T in primary schools for a number of reasons; but even if I thought it was wonderful I don't think I'd randomly boast about it to a passing mum.

Would you?

Thank you flamingtoaster - that does make sense.

I know some schools budget for it but why can't the SEN children or even, shock horror, an average child be taken on a special course for the day to further their love of science, or help to develop an interest in it? Once again the average child is ignored.

YANBU btw. G&T for ICT? Please! He spends far too much time pissing about on the computer at home and has access to equipment that other children might not. These lists are dominated by middle class kids who have parents and the opportunities to have many skills developed outside the classroom. Give them another set of parents and circumstances and see how gifted they really are.

its so often 'all change' at secondary ime and some parent in particular find this hard to stomach

parents

In response to McBitchy query as to the point of G&T, I think really it's meant to be a labour-saving device. In your average mixed ability year 9 class there will be students working at sub-level 4 and others at above level 7, and it is the teacher's job to differentiate every lesson to suit the needs of the whole span of students. Very difficult considering that they have a different bunch of students every hour. So when the LEA and Ofsted asks the school how they are meeting this need for differentiation, the school can use the cover-all excuse of saying 'well, we have a gifted and talented register which gives extra opportunities and SEN staff for the lower end'. Phew, all covered then! Not exactly, but the only solution which actually would work would be smaller class sizes, which simply can't be afforded in most state secondaries, so it's a bit of a ruse.

We don't have them in Scotland - we have levels, which the kids move through at their own pace. They can also move between classes and be taught at higher levels with older children. Seems to work here - although I'm sure that there are parents who would jump at the chance of having their child on a G and T register!

Agree with op
Am interested in my own DCs achievements in great detail but I know no-one else is, so if asked by an acquaintance, I say 'fine'
In a 2 minute conversation, this information being divulged counts as boasting

Thank you lequeen. I guess we will just have to wait and see. The P1 class is by itself but the P2 and P3 classes are taught together and so are the other classes up to P7(v small school! ) It must be nice for your DD to have her sister there. DS1 is quite shy and quiet so I'm a bit concerned about him being hassled for being 'different' because he is quite sensitive and gets upset easily. (That's what I meant by emotionally not being able to cope with older kids)

It's such a tricky area even to talk to teachers about because you feel like they're looking at you smiling but thinking "Yes, yes, of course your child is special - they all are - heard it all before" etc and you don't want to seem like a pushy mum who makes her child do 3 hours of studying a night or something. I find myself constantly defending DH and I when I'm speaking to them - "we don't MAKE him read or anything - this is just what he likes..."

oosabeauta thankyou - makes sense!

I agree with the poster who commented on hating small talk. I hate it with a passion. If you're interested in me and my life, talk to me. If you're not then don't. I'm fine with that - much more comfortable with it than having to make cringeworthy small talk for 5 minutes. Worst of all is to ask me how I am, not listen to the (brief) answer then promptly change the subject and talk about you and yours for the next 20 minutes.

We're all proud of our children - we just don't bore people with stories of their achievements if someone asks how they are

You only have to read posts about the Christmas 'Round Robin Letters' to find out what people really think about boasting!

Yep - I bet the OP's acquaintance is the sort to send Round Robins

Ah Maisie luckily I am not on her Christmas card list