On G&T but bored.

[ModreB]

DS is on the G&T for several subjects. Maths, Science, Music and Drama, English Lit. The school he is at is excellent at promoting and supporting G&T, but, he is still bored with what they give him. He needs a challenge.

What can I do to support him and stop him disengaging, which is a real problem. He is currently refusing to contemplate doing A levels, as according to him, they will be "boring"

BTW, his 2 older siblings were also G&T and have done well. Civil Engineer and Army Officer.

Why doesn't he look into alternatives to A-levels, like apprenticeships? He has to be in education or training till he's 18, so if he can't contemplate A-levels then he'll have to find something else that he is willing to do. He can't just whinge about things being boring, the world won't be handed to him on a plate.

What about the IB? Surely if he is so gifted he sees the sense in going to university to extend himself?

I am assuming he is in year 10 or 11. If he is really good at maths would the school let him do the UKMT Senior maths challenge?

Could some of it be peer pressure of not wanting to be seen enjoying learning?

I don't mean to be rude, but 'bored' can be a state of mind rather than a reflection on the level of challenge on offer. 'Bored' can be workshy and lazy, know-it-all and dismissive, a cover for admitting that the work is actually too difficult, or being fed-up with the sameness and routine of school life. And more. Are you certain the problem is a lack of challenge?

Thank you for the replies. He is Y10, going to Y11 in Sept. He did the Maths challenge this year, came out in the top 2%, said it was easy. Its not that he's workshy, all homework etc is done willingly. He does music practise for at least an hour each night.

Apprenticeship might be the thing to look at. He is very mature for his age, and has said that he wants to work.

Which maths challenge did he do? If it was the intermediate, did he do the Hamilton? Surely he did not find that easy. Could you speak to the school about the UKMT mentoring scheme?

How about finding something different for him to do? Have you heard of edx.org? There are a whole load of courses available there from universities around the world which are free for anyone. Most are degree level but some are advanced placement courses (i.e. courses that US High schoolers take but which give them college credit). But the thing is they are in subjects he'd never normally see at his level. You could take an introductory computer science course from Harvard. Or there was one recently on the impact of comic books on american culture (complete with input from Stan Lee!).

Thank you for the suggestions. Mrsmortis stuff sounds good, and I will suggest it. Hope he re-engages, as he is really good at most stuff.

Would something more abstract help - maths and science have much more right/wrong answers than say, philosophy or history, which deal in more abstract concepts?

I've no idea where in the country you are OP, but www.npl.co.uk/careers/. do apprenticeships in a highly academic environment. I imagine there must be more around the country.

I understand the problem from your DS's point of view. I think this is one of the problems that has developed from making exams accessible for all ability levels.

I think everyone hits a point at some time in their life where doing the thing that they are supposed to do is a bit mundane. For most of us, its when you have been working for a few years, its just your son has hit it early. The usual solution lies in just getting on with it, doing what you need to do and finding stimulation elsewhere (e.g. independent study or developing a hobby).

If you son was 7, then there would be so much more to learn that the school could have lots of new things to teach and it would be a case of persuading the school to offer it early, but your son is is near the end now of what school can possibly offer. He's probably exhausted most of what the teachers have to offer.

Its easy to imagine that he could do whatever is required from him by school, and even though his peers are working harder than ever, your son could just turn up, do all the work and then find something engaging to learn on evenings, weekends and holidays?

I find it difficult to get my head round G+T kids that just declare everything "boring" . They need to buck their ideas up and engage with their own education. By 16-18 they can look into qualifications and the routes they want to take, then get on with it! School isn't all their education at this age at all. If your average A2 candidate doesn't get on with motivating self and reading around they wont do so well - everyone has to take charge of their learning.

Is it peer pressure or.... fear of failure? not actually being as good as people say he is? Boring is often a get out for " scared to try" or "CBA" IMHO

He could as vari says just turn up to lessons, complete the work, getting, of course 100% easily ( but learn to side step the G+T pitfall looses marks " the answer is obviously X" without showing how it was arrived at or using the correct terminology needed) . Whilst also doing interesting stuff out of school and pushing his own learning forward- interested in philosophy- buy a set of OU philosophy books on ebay and get on with it! etc .

No one ever died of being a bit bored.

At this age, it is very easy to take any topic further, as good resources are invariably available on-line. Or he could learn something completely new (another language? Coding?).

DD pretty much does as the PP described in her last paragraph. The plus side of everything being easily within her grasp is that she has learnt to despatch assignments quickly and very efficiently, doing just the right amount but no more - a useful life skill, if nothing else!