Not sure whether son is G&T, or how to find out, or what happens if he is!

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

DS1 is in Year One. We've always been told that he's very bright, but obviously people always say nice things about your child so it's hard to get perspective. He does seem to understand things very quickly, he could read before he started Reception, talked very early and very fluently etc.

We had his parents evening before half term and our school has this daft thing that children have to be there in the meeting. I detest this as I'd like the opportunity to ask things that I don't want DS1 to hear. Such as, for example, is he good enough to be G&T, and what does the school provide for children who are?

More generally I don't know if the school are stretching Year One pupils much - they have NO homework apart from reading, and when I asked about it his teacher said he could write a book review if he wanted. Of course he doesn't want to, he'd rather play with his trains - and there wasn't any indication of what would happen if he did - would it get looked at in some way?

She says he's in the top set for Literacy and is nearly top in Maths.

So I guess my question is - what should schools provide in Year One for G&T pupils? And how do I find out if DS1 has been considered for it? A teacher friend of mine said they should be differentiating work more for more able pupils, but I don't see any evidence of this happening.

I dread being the pushy mother going on about how bright her child is, but I also dread DS1 not being challenged and losing interest in school completely.

Any thoughts?

most primary schools will not tell you if your child is G&T
it's the top so may % (sorry can't remember what number) of a school so it depends on the schools overall standards, catchment area etc a child may be G&T in one school and not in another so it's pretty meaningless at this age

by 'setting' the children they are differentiating the work for the more able children -schools are challenged to do this through ofsted
if he seems to be enjoying school and is developing socially then the school is doing it's job for your son

in yr 1 I really wouldn't worry about the lack of homework -let him play with his trains! :)

No no no G&T is gin and tonic, please don't trick people like that by misleading thread titles...[wails]

Sorry Sossidges! Obviously if DS1 was a Gin and Tonic, then there would be no problem. I'd just drink him.

Thanks workshy - I'm just anxious that he doesn't get turned off school. He has trouble concentrating apparently, but then they tell me what they're doing at school and a lot of it is stuff that he knows already - like telling the time, but they're only doing o'clock and half past, and he's been able to do those for ages.

Oh god, I sound like such a ghastly parent, don't I? I'm honestly not trying to boast about him, I just want him to be happy. Maybe I should just chill out.

hehe -I am a ghastly parent!

well I was with DD1 but I am much more chilled with DD2

the school is actually really good at finding a level and what I experienced with KS1 is that the work may be below what they are capable but they develop socially so much between 5-7 that as long as your child is achieving then let them learn the life skills rather than the academics.
KS2 the school is much more obviously differentiating the work. They still bring the same homework home as the other but in class they are set individual targets so where the brief may be the same (eg find out about a country, a person etc) they standard of work they are challenged to produce is much higher

and lots of yr 1 children struggle to concentrate and it's not usually because the work isn't hard enough, and more due to the fact they like to run around making lots of noise :)

Agree it doesn't sound helpful to have to take such a young child along to parents evening. Your answer lies in your post - he's in the top set. So the school is grouping them within class by ability & will have different expectations of work produced. Top set may or may not mean G&T and that may or may not mean additional resources. (Not at DS's school.)

I would chill out. Yr1 is young. Instead of seeking additional homework I would support the building of good friendships with invitations for tea. If you want to help him develop more maybe don't try to race the curriculum but go off at a tangent. DS has quite an interest in wildlife.

Bit of x post with Workshy there. Great minds....

That's all really good advice, thank you! I shall chill out and enjoy it more.

DD2 is very good at all things literacy, and from the start of year 1 her school did the following -

• With year 2 for phonics and guided reading
• An extra guided reading group for the top % of year 1's
• Extension within class literacy grouping to enable her to do research of her own
• Along with one other was given higher targets in literacy and stretched.

But we were never formally told she was G&T...

OP,
Don't worry about the title at this age or even older.The title means next to nothing. It doesn't guarantee you the right work level, effictive support or anything. Also, schools are doing this in different way, a Gin&Tonic might be only a glass of water in another school.
You are obvious a very reponsible Mum.The best thing I suggest is keep doing what you are doing and be proud.Well done your DS1!

You've already had some very sensible replies & my advice is similar. Yr 1 is mostly about helping their social skills & they've told you your ds is in he top set, so they are differentiating his work, but I can totally get why you are asking these questions. My ds was first formally identified as g&t in yr1 & Dd1 is in yr 1 now & her 1st school report of the year has just given me details of her g&t subjects. I'd recommend asking the school if they have a g&t list, (its no longer a national requirement,) & also what NC level your ds currently is. The national expectation for nc levels at end of reception is 1c & 1a at the end of year 1a, so you'll be able to get an idea of if/how much he's above average from that & also it's the kind of question you could ask in front of him, as if teacher says he's currently a 1c in literacy, 1b in reading & 1b in numeracy (or whatever,) it's not going to mean much to him, but does give you an idea.