EG - PG education options in London

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Hello,

Please can somebody, who is either formally educated in the needs of Gifted Children or parents who are living with highly gifted kids, provide some clues about educational options for EG-PG kids living in London???

I have a EG child (formally IQ assessed twice by two Gifted Specialists) who has just turned 6 years old and currently in Year 2 in the Australian Schooling system ( He did combined early entry and Grade Skip and it worked very well!) We are considering moving to London and would like to know what parents of other EG kids have done to help educate their children in London.

Please no grumbling posts from people who have no idea about the needs of gifted kids! Honestly, if you have a Gifted child and even more so if you have a EG-PG child - you will know how frustrating and isolating it is. Gifted seems to be a dirty word. And before anyone suggests that other kids will catch up to gifted kids by the age of 12, go read 20 books on the subject and talk to numerous experts with 30+ years experience. Gifted kids don't become ungifted and nor do the average 'catch-up'. Mainly HG kids choose to go underground and become the 'grey man'. Enforced Underachievement.

I just want some advise (from those living with gifted kids or teaching them) what positive provisions/educational options are available in London.

Such as Junior Schools with passionate Gifted teacher and co-ordinators,
Schools that provide IEPs
Schools that actively group like minded children for daily classes and extension
Schools that put high emphasis on the social needs of gifted kids

Or even stories about Gifted Home Schooling in London and support groups.

Many thanks in advance.

State schools rarely accelerate a year, but the school year runs from September here, so you might find your up one compared to Australia anyhow. Independent schools might be more flexible but it's up to the school and you'd have to ask each individually.

If the independent sector is a possibility, then I suggest you subscribe to The Good Schools Guide (available online) or get in touch with one of the educational consultant firms. Hill House has an excellent reputation for dealing wih this moving to UK as it's an international school, but it's academic reputation is solid, rather than stellar. Depending on how long you expect to stay, and where in London you expect to live, you might want to consider Colet Court (feeds St Pauls) or Westminster Under (for Westminster), though they are both 8+ start and you'd need somewhere else for a year.

Hi. I am not in london but my ds was in state education and floundered.

He is accelerated 3 years and is in independent system with a bursary.

I agee that you should talk to schools first and go armed with your test results and be prepared to push hard. Good luck.

If you turned up at my ds' school you'd be hugely disappointed. He is getting bugger all differentiation in class from what I can tell other than one short one-on-one session a week. Don't assume all state schools will do much. Some will some won't.

Thanks everybody for your replies.

Its kind of a strange way to look at it, but i would rather find the school that suits our child first then find somewhere to live near by. Happy child, happy parents. Yes, Hill House does look good, esp all the international students.

When talking to schools, many seem to talk the talk but actually follow up with very little action. Many claim to cater for gifted kids - but in reality do very little. That is how i have found it here in Perth, Australia.

Please keep the comments coming, especially schools who seem to do a decent job with gifted kids and the individual needs/learning styles of all children.

London is Huge! And my mind boggles as to where to start! My husband will work relatively close to city centre - so as long as he can tube it to work, the actual school location is not too much of a problem.

Thanks!