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Gifted and talented

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Original poster

Do any of your children......

14 replies

lisad123 · 29/02/2008 23:11

go to private school? I was talking to my sister about the local private school, they do scholar ships for "bright" children.
My Tani is miles ahead of her class according to her teacher, they have had to get diferent work in for her (she is only in reception).
I dont want to put pressure on her but dont want her to be bored or waste what she has. The teacher this year has been great but ot sure it would continue for the whole timne she is at the school.
What would you do?

Not sure if this is the right place to put this, but seemed you lot might be best poeple to ask

Lisa

OP posts:
Quattrocento · 29/02/2008 23:20

Mine go to private school but the scholarships available are all means tested now which they never used to be. So firstly if you earn even quite a modest amount of money they still expect a contribution to the fees. Secondly, you have to be really very very bright to win them, there's only two or three of them.

Things will undoubtedly be different in other schools though. If you are thinking of applying for a scholarship, it's worth getting hold of some practice papers.

Original poster
lisad123 · 29/02/2008 23:27

Do they just do sept intake. We dont earn much but dont mind puting a little bit in
Thanks, do private schools really make a bug difference? I went to a public scholl and did ok, but sometime think in wouldhave done even better in a better school.

OP posts:
pointydog · 29/02/2008 23:29

better in what sense?

Original poster
lisad123 · 29/02/2008 23:50

I went to a terrible school in a bad area, I did ok in my classes and passed all my GCSE's but there was always so many chidren playing up in class, lessons were never very good and teachers were always dealing with behaviour, rather than teach.
They missed the fact that i was dyslexic, it wasnt picked up till i was 17!

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 29/02/2008 23:57

I Was ahead of the class at primary and my parents made the stretch to send me to private school, which I was really excited about. In actual fact I hated it. It stripped me of a lot of confidence (we weren't actually rich, my ancestors hadn't gone etc etc). On the plus side, I got great grades/ results and went on to be a vet. The big question is, would I have gotten the same grades at state school- I really don't know. As far as my own go, I might be inclined to think about it at secondary school level, if I feel they are bored at school, but I would be in 2 minds after my own experience. Don't know if that helps you or not tbh!!

avenanap · 01/03/2008 00:01

My ds is at a private school, choose wisely, he's only just started to get work to his ability and he's been there 4 years. They don't offer financial help so I'm looking around because it's killing me. I'm pleased I moved him, he was at a state school before and completely bored, was being disruptive and becoming depressed. He's 8 now and is 6 points under a level 5 for maths, a 5 for science and english. Some have intakes at the start of the term, not just september but others are only september. I've noticed that the children at ds's school have alot more confidence and there are alot more opportunities for them to do things (clubs, sport etc). You have to pay for this though and the uniform's are very expensive as they can tell you where to buy them, unlike state schools.

Blossomhill · 01/03/2008 00:05

I would wait tbh. Reception is quite early to decide if a child is g & t. Ds when in reception had a table full of children that were racing ahead and a lot of them have slowed down. I am not saying this will happen with you but R is early. My ds is now in yr 5 and doing really well and has always remained in the top group but not all of those children have.

avenanap · 01/03/2008 00:14

Na, you can tell, it's the naughty kid that's ahead of everyone else, the one that's always been advanced. Some parents prepare their kids for school, they teach them how to read a bit, the numbers and how to write so they have an advantage. The others soon catch up. You can tell a gifted child. They are the ones asking all the questions, they pick up new ideas very quickly and then run with them. My ds was asking about things which were far too advanced for him when he was 4, now he's on philosophy and atomic theory. You can tell the kids that have been preped, there's no spark, they are miserable, they won't ask questions because they don't see things the same way.

Original poster
lisad123 · 01/03/2008 00:19

I have been told she is top of class for english,maths and reading. However, her teacher is very impressed with her drawing. She has always been very artist, and her drawings are amazing (very proud mummy). I think i will talk to her teacher and see what she suggests. Thanks you ladies are so helpful

OP posts:
Hallgerda · 01/03/2008 11:34

At any school, someone has to be top of the class. Some state schools deal with that situation better than some private schools. DS1 was in a similar situation to your daughter, and I think he got something out of it that he wouldn't have gained from being pushed ever further academically. He did a lot of people-watching that has stood him in good stead. He was also encouraged by the school to do a number of independent projects, which helped with self-reliance. And he's seen a number of friends in difficult situations doing well - an experience he might not have had in a private school.

You do have to consider whether you could take all the other issues that go with private education - I'm pretty sure I couldn't.

snorkle · 01/03/2008 12:18

"At any school, someone has to be top of the class." Wise words as usual from Hallgerda. It's difficult to judge in such a situation if your child is bright or really, really bright. It's the same in sport - plenty stand out in their club, but look mediocre at county standard and are totally outclassed at district level and above.

What the best way to educate bright, or very bright children is really difficult to say and people will have differing views. Imo, you can't simply say private is best - some schools are better at providing a good environment for bright children than others and you have to consider each school individually.

Hulababy · 01/03/2008 12:20

DD is at private school but they don't do scholarships at preprep age there.

Some private schools are academic, some now, some selective, some not. Depends on what you are looking for.

mrsruffallo · 01/03/2008 12:30

If you are happy with things atm I would leave her there.
Reception is abbout much more than academia.
Wait until she is a little older and then decide

Lulumama · 01/03/2008 12:34

agree with hallergada and mrsruffalo

if she is still top of everything in 2-3 years, then look again?

also, she might be top of the class now, at private school, she might be average or below average, IFYSWIm, depending on the attributes of her classmates...

i;d give it time

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