like cod

[cod]

arf at this section

parp parp parp
where the " my kid is thick " section

MB but this is the point I made earlier (maybe on another thread) that the way they run gifted and talented programmes in our local city makes sense. Our city has some of the most deprived areas of Europe (top 10), and all the g and t resources are spent there. So the top 10% in the ropiest areas are identified and taken from their schools and given weekend activities, the idea being to show them they are not freaks and that staying on at school past 16 is a valid choice. I think its an excellent use of resources, but other than that I agree with scummy.

BUT these kids that are being identified and given the g and t programme are not ones who the mnet brigade would see as particularly g and t- we're talkiing kids who are being encouraged and given resources to get 5C's at GCSE- - and I think that it is in this area that g and t will make a difference. Putting money into identifying the top 15% in a middle class area where there is lots of encouragment at home is a waste of time. They would do better scrapping A levels and bringing in the IB- that would provide the extra stretching needed.

Agree about the IB jimjams

I think that there is a finite amount of cash available, and I have grave doubts as to whether the g and t program is the best use of the money. Like you, I feel that the situation you describe is a good use of money.

I just find it hard to understand why there is so much vitriol regarding a topic that allows people with similar kids a chance to discuss them. I don't see myself posting on this topic, but then I don't post in arts and crafts either.

I think that some (please note some ) of the posts have been rather bullying and tbh, I don't see the need for that.

Cod will now pop up and tell me that because I was bullied for being clever as a kid, I am projecting. I don't think that I am, I rather feel that I am remembering and recognising behaviour that made large amounts of my schooldays a living hell.

TBH-mb I think the reason that people take the piss is because there are so many supposed g and t on mumsnet, that it gets a bit ridiculous.

MN isn't your average cross section though, it is?

I can't believe that there are that many card makers in the world, let alone the UK, but you learn summat new on MN every day

I wonder what investment it would take to bring the average class size down to 20. I dread to think, but it would be fantastic.

I just remember being told that I was a 'snob' and 'up myself' because I was good at subjects in school, so re-reading the stuff again makes me feel rather upset.

I got so good at hiding being good that when I got into collage a bloke asked me 'Are you the one going to Oxford?' when I told me yes he said 'Christ, I thought you were thick'

and mb

Just because your child is gifted and talented, doesn't mean you are - lots of parents have no idea how to "stretch" their children.

Just like lots of people who have children who model are right mingers themselves

"Putting money into identifying the top 15% in a middle class area where there is lots of encouragment at home is a waste of time."

At DS2's grammar school, in a middle class area, the top 10% or so in each subject are identified but AFAIK no extra money is being spent there, jimjams - thought you'd like to know!

Identifying and helping kids like that in deprived areas sounds like a much better plan.

hehe hunker

Thought I'd try to lighten it a bit (although not for child moggelling parents, I'll admit ).

Yeah but MB that happened to me as well (bumped into an old schoolfriend in Oxford- What are you doing here? I'm at the university. No you're not, eys I am" etc etc) and I was at a school where it was OK to work hard. I suspect I am just a bit thick. :o

I trip over card makers every day in RL (seriously!)

I suspect you are anything but....

In fact I would bet my shiny new ipod on it

It wasn't OK to work in the school I went to. Not only was I verbaly bullied, some little shit even hit me over the head with an iron bar (I shit you not!) But I was fair game because I was a 'snob' you see. LOL!

Re the card makers, I feel you must move in more elivated circles that I do

Did you go to my school mb?

Well, I think this type of thread serves to bring people back to earth. Maybe I am thick skinned but I see it as gentle teasing not bullying. Focusing exclusively on academic achievement can turn out kids good at writing essays and little else. I have seen it happen more than once.

And I'll tell you for why the G&T label is counter-productive - they label the child, do bugger all about it then blame them for coasting. ds2 is (allegedly) G&T, has Star Potential (pass the sick bag) and so is sailing though GCSE's doing no work, and I mean no work.

So the outcome of this, I confidently predict, is that he will fail big-time at uni if he is lucky, end up owing vast sums of money as he hasn't learnt how to work hard, and doesn't know how to stop partyimg.

Do people really think that children who are able(whose parents are in a position to do so) aren't given the opportunity to visit museums, art galleries, concerts, ride bikes, roll down hills, bake cakes, etc.? How patronising and completely ignorant! As I have said repeatedly, the majority of parents simply want their child(ren) to be stimulated/educated according to his/her own ability during school hours. I have read posts from people who have expressed concern at their children's reading ability who have received nothing but support - how does that differ from a child whose reading ability is above the norm? God forbid that any of you who is so scathing now should ever be in a position where your child is G&T or even in that unenviable position of being bored rigid by the eduaction that they are receiving. I suspect that you would do everything that you could to make their days more fulfilling and, thus, happier.

yeah.

My DS is classed as G&T, - schools description-not ours however, the fact that he is G&T has caused him/us so many problems/heartache since he has gone to school.
He has no friends, kids used to call him, one day a bunch of them lined him up against the wall spread his legs apart and kicked him so hard we had to get him medical assistance.
The reason?
"He thinks he,s it, know all, teachers pet etc etc"

It got so bad that last year he told us he wanted to kill himself, "no one likes me, i try not to answer the questions in class or i pretend not to know so i dont get picked on"

He has been home schooled since then with help of a part time tutor provided by the Education Authority.

The fact that my DS is G&T is not a good thing for him or us in fact its the opposite as i said at first no one wants to know him, he,s not a know-it-all-kid and im not a im-so-proud-of-my-know-it-all-kid but hey along comes a subject that i might just be able to post on and talk to other parents in a similar situation to ours and what do we get?

Nasty,Horrible and immature posts from people who are so against a G&T section but why?

Just wanted to let people know that not all parents of G&T children are boasters/braggers etc some of us struggle a heck of a lot and really appreciate a section like this

jenk1- do you think that being identified by the school added to his problems - ie marking him out as teacher's pet or something? I can see how a g and t official scheme could go really awry if that was to happen. Is it kept secret from the other pupils, or does it leak out? I could see how in some schools it could end up being a disaster for the children if it was generally known- like selecting the 10% to get picked on. IN other shcools it would of course act as an encouragement.

No, i didnt. Sorry Jenk, Rhubarb is being "playful" this evening.