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Education

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Original poster

Possibly gifted and talented child - how can I assess if my child is and help him?

15 replies

Solitaire · 30/03/2010 22:06

My 10 year old son is in year 6 (he'll be 11 in August). His teacher believes he is gifted. What can we do to assess and help him as he transfers to secondary school. He is good at maths but doesn't particularly enjoy it. He is also very good at English and love it. I need the combined expertise of Mumsnet to help me

OP posts:

Milliways · 30/03/2010 22:15

The school ould send a report to his secondary, including SATS levels etc. They normally have a liaison teacher who chats with the primary teachers.

The scondary school, if half decent, will assess all new pupils and see who can be stretched - it is in their interest for league tables etc.

At this age, the most important thing is that he is happy & making friends at the new school, then let the school do it's job. He will probably take CAT tests too in Yr7 which are aptitude type tests.

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 30/03/2010 22:20

I also wouldn't worry about it to be honest. If the work stretches him and he's happy then this is all you need to know.

Original poster

Solitaire · 30/03/2010 22:40

He's a happy soul, but a bit of a loner if I'm honest. My main worry at the moment is that I think his teacher sees him as a way of upping her average in the SATs and is putting alot of pressure on him succeed

OP posts:

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 30/03/2010 22:45

It shouldn't make any difference to the SATS I don't think. Ds isn't allowed to go any higher then the top level 5 (whatever this is) despite him doing year 9 maths (he's 10 aswell), it's the same with english. Your son's school should be concentrating on helping him make friends and with social skills if I'm being honest, it'll be really hard for him if he doesn't get help with this.

Original poster

Solitaire · 30/03/2010 22:55

His social skills have improved in the last year since his older brother went to secondary school and he couldn't rely on his protection/ friendship.

OP posts:

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 30/03/2010 23:03

I think it's really hard for some children to pick this up, others seem to know automatically.

What do you think his less stronger areas are? Maybe they should concentrate on these or stretching him sideways, encouraging other skills (music or art for example). I honestly don't think you need to do anything, just encourage other interests. Has he tried Warhammer games in Games Workshop? It's full of boys that are a bit lonely if you know what I mean. They do classes at the weekends, you just drop him off for a couple of hours or so, they are all CRB checked.

Original poster

Solitaire · 30/03/2010 23:12

The warhammer sounds interesting but we live in norfolk and shops are a bit few and far betweeen, but I do know that the secondary school he is going to has a warhammer club so i may encourage him to join.
He does play the piano.
to be honest I sometimes feel guilty about the whole loner thing as I am very happy in my own company.

OP posts:

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 30/03/2010 23:17

I know that feeling

Is there a school friend that he's moving to secondary school with?

It's hard when there's so little of the school year left. I bet secondary school will be alot better for him, ds's has so many extra curricular things going on there's bound to be a few boys he'll make friends with. I think I worry about this alot more then his academic work.

Original poster

Solitaire · 30/03/2010 23:35

Me too.

I try to talk to him but he is not great at communicating his emotions (like his Mum and Grandad). I really think I'm more worried about his transition to secondary school than he is. As always he is desperate to be doing what his brother is doing.

OP posts:

cornsilk · 30/03/2010 23:46

The secondary school will be very likely to carry out assessments so hopefully will give you a clearer picture.

Quattrocento · 30/03/2010 23:52

I wouldn't do anything tbh

I'd just wait and let it happen

He sounds rather nice, your DS.

Original poster

Solitaire · 30/03/2010 23:59

He is utterly gorgeous, with a briliant surreal sense of humour. He never fails to make me laugh. Most of the time he isn't intending to make you laugh he is just amusing himself and if that makes you feel good, all the better

OP posts:

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 31/03/2010 00:01

He sounds like a joy. If he ever needs an online chess pal I'm sure ds will love to play. He's got the same sense of humour, like a mini John Cleese!

Original poster

Solitaire · 31/03/2010 00:03

Both my DSs have been contaminated my DHs love of the Goons, Monty Python etc etc

OP posts:

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 31/03/2010 00:07

We love monty python, ds has seen the movies a couple of times and will come out with quotes every now and again. He likes to play warhammer, the school he's at now go OTT at him for talking about rockets and guns though so he's not allowed to talk about it at school. It's tough being 10.

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