G&T Support at Secondary School

[Cess]

Hi, and thanks for reading this. I have a bright son (in year 7), who was put on the G&T register at his primary school. On joining our local (and only option) secondary school, he did well at his CAT tests, coming first in all three categories, gaining maximum marks on the maths category, and I was told by the test co-ordinator that his scores were "streets ahead" of the rest of the year. Further tests revealed that his IQ put him in the top 0.5% of the country. Obviously I was really pleased for him! I spoke with the school's G&T advisor, (an incredibly helpful but incredibly overworked lady) and she mailed all his tutors to inform them that he would require additional support. Unfortunately this just isn't happening, and too often he is left with no work in class as he finishes quite quickly. He also rarely has homework as he has finished everything in class. Worse still if there is a laptop shortage he seems to always be the child not given one to work on, but instead has to help another child do their work. The school is also heavily in to Learning to Learn, so for two periods a day this replaces traditional learning and he ends up painting pictures or cutting and sticking, or worse still watching a children's film. I understand why they have this scheme for so much time every day, as the school has a high number of pupils who join the school at below national average KS2 standards, and is in National Challenge for maths, English and science, but it drives my son mad! They won't let him come out of these classes to do other work. I have tried to keep in touch with the school regarding these issues, but I feel as though I'm banging my head against a wall - I think I have come to a point where I have had to question things so often that the person I have to approach just seems to think I like complaining and has stopped listening. I'm not being awkward, and I always approach the school in a polite manner, I just feel that as long as the children reach an OK level they are left to it. I want the school to know and understand my son, and feel if I keep contacting the school they will get resentful of him. I've always thought of really bright children as having mad hair and playing the piano or violin, but he is a really nice lad, quiet, and you would only know how intelligent he was if you engaged him in conversation. What I would really like is to find out what the school should be doing for its G&T students? Does it have any legal obligation? There are no special trips or classes or group activities, and the G&T register is just that, a register of names - parents aren't even informed that their child is on the register. I would really like to find out from perhaps any secondary teachers who may read this what their opinion is, or perhaps what I should or could be doing. I have even written to the DCFS but they have just told me to complain to my Local Authority, which I don't want to do. Sorry this is so long! And thanks for any help you could give! From Cess

No advice, but I hope someone sees your heartfelt post! Perhaps re-post it in 'Education' (and remove the G&T title so people aren't vile to you).

I think there can be this trouble if there is a child more able than their peers. My dcs have often been charged with helping others. Ds doesn't mind at all most of the time, but it did start to get on his nerves constantly being paired with the least able child. But he actually spoke up and (hopefully diplomatically!) asked to work with someone he knew was more on his level.

I would suggest contacting the NAGC and see if they are active in your area. Also make sure your son is doing all his work thoroughly, just incase he is being given some challenging questions but is scooting over them.
I wouldn't go in too strongly telling teachers how gifted your child is. But DO ask them if they can help him develop "higher level thinking skills".
G&T is not doing much anymore, the funding is dying out. But then again at my DS's school G&T meant extra art and drama, which wouldn't meet his interests in Science. Do investigate what extra-curricula activities there are, some may be useful to stretch him.
Do try to extend him at home, let him research things in more depth, there are some good maths websites. What areas is he especially gifted in?
You may also need to think again about schools.

Unfortunately if a school and/or individual teachers are not willing to challenge G&T students, there probably isn't much you can do to change what happens in the classroom. (Unless you are able to change schools.)

However, there are options for challenge outside of school. You mention Maths as a strength. Some fantastic resources here for really challenging students beyond the normal school expectations.

You are completely correct IMO that the "Learning to Learn" programme is not challenging G&T students (though it can be great for others).

Is he in setted groups at all now? Will that change at all next year?

I would be very tempted to move house to get him into a different school.

I would be thinking about another school too - we had a similar problem when my son was in primary school and I think it would be fair to say that he did not progress at all in Year 6, having done Year 6 'work' in Year 5 but because he was on target to get his Level 5s, there was no incentive to push him any further. Speaking to his teacher after he had left the school, she agreed with me!!!

Cess - I believe the extra funding for G & T has recently been stopped. Perhaps you should try and get him put up a year or two if there is no extra challenge available.

My dd is in Year 10 doing GCSE courses and also AS level in one subject. That's because the school can organise it.

I won't ask how mad his hair is, but is your ds learning an instrument? It is intellectually very challenging and did you know that the higher grade exams in music carry UCAS points? I think a child needs to be interested though, regardless of intellectual ability so if it doesn't float his boat perhaps he could take up something else.

May I ask why you don't wish to write to your LEA about it? If the school are ignoring your concerns then this sounds the most appropriate step, you don't need to phrase the initial letter as a complaint but instead ask for advice and ask if they offer any support for YGT pupils as many LEAs do - it sounds like the G&T leader at your son's school needs more support.

There is a publication designed for schools to help in these kinds of situations here, while it is for schools it is available for anyone to see as a PDF here: nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/84878 so maybe it would be worth looking at.

Coming into this a bit late so not sure if you are still around. FWIW our secondary comp just put a few on the G&T register in year 7 then left it. He sounds very bright and I'm sure the teachers are well aware of this but that they don't do much with them as in the case of our school.

If you are hoping that the outcome is that he gains 3 A*'s at A level then I'm sure the school will encourage him in that direction. He will probably shine in the maths/writing challenges.

The only other thing I would consider is sitting scholarship entrance exams at a local private school in year 9.

Coming into this a bit late so not sure if you are still around. FWIW our secondary comp just put a few on the G&T register in year 7 then left it. He sounds very bright and I'm sure the teachers are well aware of this but that they don't do much with them as in the case of our school.

If you are hoping that the outcome is that he gains 3 A*'s at A level then I'm sure the school will encourage him in that direction. He will probably shine in the maths/writing challenges.

The only other thing I would consider is sitting scholarship entrance exams at a local private school in year 9.

Oops, mnet playing up.