Does the school have to tell you if your child is on the G&T register?

[lovecheese]

I know this question has probably come up before but TBH CBA to rummage through past threads; anyway, I strongly suspect that DD in yr1 is, going by the things that she does "extra" ie joint phonics with yr2, on the highest book level or thereabouts and now her teacher tells me that her and another child will be going to yr2 for guided reading as the yr1 set currently is "holding her back" (teachers words). I dont know if the school has a G&T policy and TBH I dont think they could do any more for her at present than they already are but wondered under data protection stuff blah blah does the school have a right to tell me if she is on it?

I'd guess they'll tell you, but it matters little so long as you think she's getting all she needs.

Depends on the school some do, some don't... as smee said it really doesn't matter as long as she's happy and working to her ability.
I know this sounds like a really answer, but I have a G&T dc and it really makes no difference if they are on the register. Remember she might also be on the register but it could well change as she might plateau for a while...so forget about it...t'is only form filling and means nothing

I don't know...but I am wondering whether G&T is a measure of performance or ability. If anyone knows.
Sorry that's a bit of a hijack! But have a clever ds too and am wondering same thing.

Sounds as though she is moving swiftly for her age.

I think they are looking for both FA...a natural apptitude, find it easy to pick up, and high scoring. ds1 is maths, so I can't speak for English or any other art but is working at about 4 yrs beyond average.

but technically it is just the top 10% of the class I think.

Ingles2 yes she is happy and is very excited about going to the yr2 class, and I am really pleased with her school for mixing abilities from different year groups; it doesnt matter at the end of the day whether she is/isnt on any list, just wondering legally/ethically if you have to be told

My Dds school does not tell parents as they are afraid it will cause problems!?

I assume that they are worried parents will get upset if their dc is not on the register but their best friend is. Also that parents will demand explanations when a dc comes off the register if another child overtakes them etc.

Other schools are upfront and 'declare' all their g&t children to parents!

If your Dd is doing well then I would be happy with that. If it was their policy to tell you they would have done so already!

Thanks Ingles...ds is supposedly top 1% mentally but prob bottom 40% in practise, due to poss dyslexia or maybe just immaturity. Dichotomy!

It's random and very dependent on each school to set their own policy. For example, it doesn't have to be academic top ten. So someone who's very sporty can be G&T, or someone with fantastic leadership qualities. Seems to be that you have to be outstanding in some kind of way..

Sorry have been busy over the last few weeks/months so haven't been able to post

To answer the questions in the thread.

Schools have to decide their criteria for selecting who goes into G&T. Parents can get a copy of the doc from the school. Most schools are better at drawing up the doc than following it.

It's not just academic, also has sections for sport, music etc. as smee says

Whether a school chooses the max of 10% or 2.3% or those 2 years ahead of peers, it's got to be based on ability and potential rather than achievement.

Schools are expected to inform parents but there's no rule about it so crap schools often withold that information as a PR measure rather than including parents in the catering for and stimulating these children. They can't have a "policy" to not tell - report them to the LA if they do.

The G&T scheme, contrary to the beliefs of many Mumsnet posters who get often get their knickers in a twist about elitism, isn't desgined to benefit a few selected children. It creates a benchmark for provision that is meant to flow down so the entire school benefits.

The register is fluid - children can go on and off depending on intake and the speed their own abilities develop.

It's NOT only form filling. Schools are required to show HOW they are catering for the pupils with the highest potential (just like they are required to show how they are catering for SEN). Some schools are pathetic at this, a few are good.

BTW, if you've read that you know more about G&T than most primary school teachers.

Ha ha Dad at Large. So True.

Thought I'd pop back to this thread because weirdly I got a G&T letter today....never had one before and ds1 has been on the register for years..
anyway I can give answers..
It says
The June 2009 Education White Paper requires all schools to write to the parents or carers of children who are on the school's G&T register to inform them of the provision that is being made for these pupils.
Children can be placed on the school's G&T register for a number of reasons, for example
They are working at a level significantly above the national expectation for their age group and above the level of others in their class in an academic subject such as English or Maths.
They have a particular talent in areas such as art, music or sport.
They have been identified as having high potential but are at risk from underachieving.
It goes on for pages, about universal provision, targeted provision and intensive provision and what parents should be doing to support them.
I've not really seen much provision in the last 6 years so I'm interested to see if anything has changed with this white paper.

That is interesting Ingles. As mentioned above our school does not tell parents.

I know DD is very very bright and is working well above the national expectation in both Maths and English. She is also a talented musician so will wait and see what happens. The G&T policy has not done much for us in the past 3 years so will wait and see!

looks like they have to now newpup...
the back of the letter says the register is reviewed in Jan and July so maybe a letter will be with you shortly.