Gifted and Talented

[morethanpotatoprints]

I was wondering if an educationalist could explain who assessed children for gifted and talented and what criteria is used?
I don't like the label personally but have been advised that this might be a route into scholarship for a musically gifted child. DD class teacher said she was talented as in fairness we knew already. Could I ask for an assessment?
I must stress any scholarship would be to access excellent services not as a means to gain entry into a school. Lessons are expensive and for low income families it can be nearly impossible.
Would welcome any info on the scheme and if it is accessible to all.

Have you posted on the G&T board?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/gifted_and_talented/

G&T tends too mean academically gifted as this is what schools can develop. Most schools would not be able to offer a different or extended curriculum for a child with a musical talent. Try your county music service, or junrior / saturday departments at music colleges.

What does she play and what level out of interest?

G&T tends too mean academically gifted as this is what schools can develop. Most schools would not be able to offer a different or extended curriculum for a child with a musical talent. Try your county music service, or junrior / saturday departments at music colleges.

What does she play and what level out of interest?

You need to contact the music school you are interested in, and ask them if they have a programme. If they do, they woll let you know the entry requirements, or if any assistsnce with fees is available. Your local state school, if they suspect a child has precocious musical talent that is not being met, would contact the parent and suggest music classes. Unless the school has a specialist music teacher, which are rare as hen's teeth.

It's the same with gymnastics etc, the school cannot support talented musicians or gymnasts, and so the parents are expected to develop the talent by looking for a suitable resource. Occasionally the school can offer a suggestion as to who the parents should contact, but rarely.

Its really annoying as the jd's have said that awards and bursaries are available from them/other sources and when I look it is for gifted and talented assessed. I know she will be at the required level to audition at 11 but would like assessment earlier so I know if we would be entitled to apply for financial assistance. I don't really want any support from school as she already has lessons on 4 instruments and ranges from grade 0-grade 3 at present. Maybe we might have to have a private assessment done. I know she is not gifted in other ways but she picks instruments and music up really easily and could sing before talking.

As far as I understand to be on the Gifted and Talented register the definition is that the child is in the top 5% of the school - not nationwide but just the school.

Michael Gove has scrapped the idea of Gifted and Talented, so some schools might still do it, but it's at their discretion and they have no obligation to keep it up.

If anyone were to be assessing, it would be the SENCO as it is still a special need. My SENCO would probably be a bit gob-smacked at being asked to assess for G&T. She is overrun as it is.

I think you're unlikely to get an assessment from within the state sector. There's no money/ time for it.

Recently I have posted onto a thread about children who are gifted and talented musically. However, here is another idea for anyone who wonders how to help their gifted and talented dc make friends and fit in with the SENCO probably being up to his/her eyes in more needy SEN children. Have you tried Aquila magazine (www.aquila.co.uk)? It is really well-written, and is a giood way for families with g. and t. children to keep in touch with each other.