Gifted and Talented - Reception

[preschoolprimadonna]

I know every parent thinks the sun shines out of their child's rear end, but bear with me. My DD4 is certainly not a genius, but through hard work (and genuine enjoyment) she is reading at approximately age 6-7 at the moment. Her maths is above average, but not exceptional (simple adding and taking away up to 20, no multiplication yet, can count to 100) and her vocabulary is excellent for her age. She is also very, very good at art (which definitely doesn't come from me!). Her handwriting is average.

Her gross motor physical skills are average, but on the lower side of average. Her social skills are average. She is excellent at sitting down, concentrating and listening. She is less excellent at social niceties, but well within the realms of "normal".

She will be starting reception in September at a brand new school that hasn't yet opened. The school's ethos is very much about "we will not compare your child to other children; tests cant't measure compassion", but I do want to make sure that she is stretched academically and doesn't get bored with phonics etc. if she can already read fluently.

Is Gifted and Talented still a thing? How is it assessed, and can I ask the school to make sure she is supported in this way? (She may not meet the criteria, but I would like to explore every avenue.)

@smellyboot Are you aware that "Gifted and Talented" is an educational term, not my own wording? It refers to a child with some of the attributes that I have mentioned on the thread. More info here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/giftedandd_talented/

And please, no need to apologise.

Gifted and talented has been discontinued now though. I think this is part of the reason why, it really meant "quite good at" but parents were under the impression that their lo actually was gifted which led to unrealistic expectations.
Or possibly the current government cba to fund it??
Anyway, try not to worry about your dc because she sounds like she's doing fine, she'll almost certainly be in a small cohort of children who can do similar and the reception teacher will know exactly how to teach them

One of mine was reading Harry Potter in reception but he came home wet most days, couldn't stay awake after lunch and couldn't hold a knife and fork properly. I know what I'd rather a child be good at in reception.

G+T was a term used. The BBC page you found is archived.
Here's an article from The Guardian from 2010, talking about its discontinuation.

All children of all abilities need to be stretched, OP. To the teacher, your child is not in requirement of any more need than any other child in the classroom. It will be useful for you to talk about what he is able to do. But settling and socialising is a lot more important at this stage.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/education/2010/feb/02/gifted-talented-scrapped-funds-redirected

Not more need, but different needs in certain respects.
I think we shouldn't confuse OP having a concern about a particular aspect of their child's needs where they differ from average, and OP thinking that aspect is the most important thing happening in reception. With DS I was concerned about writing because his fine motor skills were very behind average. And concerned about socialising as he was super shy. With DD I was concerned about her reading as that was very ahead. Not concerned about socialising as she makes friends at the drop of a hat. I think it's completely normal to be concerned about how school will deal with the aspects where your child is a bit different.

Though as I said to OP, no need to buy trouble, school ought to be able to teach an academically able child just fine. Unfortunately my experience is they don't always do it as well as might be hoped so it's worth keeping an eye on things.

And moominmamacat, perhaps this is the point you were making but I'm sure your DS wasn't there because you'd taught him reading and never tried teaching toilet use. He wouldn't have been any drier if you'd not given him books.
Parents and schools have to deal with the child they've actually got not the one they'd ideally like to have.

Not more need, but different needs in certain respects.
Yes - every child has their unique set of needs, regardless of ability.

Gifted and talented" is the term school don't use anymore, and I had same impression as smellyboot.
I think you better not use that term in RL(I'm sure you won't.), people think you are bonkers, unless the child is actually gifted= exceptional.

To be fair I think the OP was just looking for reassurance her child's needs will be met in reception.

I don't think nobody can say for sure that it will. Depend on teacher, depend on school. Also depend on child.

While no one can guarantee this will happen it would be poor practice not to meet a child's needs

If the op's dc's ability is general "top 10% of the class gifted", I have no doubt op needs to worry so much. If they can't even meet that level of needs, the school is crap. If the op's dc is true outlier, than nobody can say they will, even you get great and willing teacher. I came to realise sometimes it's just impossible with state school environment.

*op doesn't need to worry

Yes - every child has their unique set of needs, regardless of ability.
Well yes, but for most children their needs fall easily within the scope of the standard lesson plans and resources. Outliers are more dependent on teachers being able and willing to go above and beyond. And when there's limited resource it tends to be concentrated on those who haven't already exceeded the curriculum's requirements. DD's going to look good on their stats with no effort from anyone.

In fairness to OP, some schools do still have a G&T policy. I did think it was a request for info trying to use a school-appropriate term. Not yet being in the school system it could be easy to have missed the issues with G&T as a term. But Irvine I think you have it spot on (as you often do). If op's DD is the top 10% G&T then she will be catered for. If she is exceptional, it is hit and miss.

I always worked full time and we chose very academic selective primary schools in the private system. If everyone in the class is top 20% by IQ then it tends to be a good thing for a bright child to be in a class with other bright children. (I don't use the G&T label though as it is not really used in the private school system)

How do you know that she's reading at the level of a 6-7 year old and in what context- accuracy, speed, comprehension?

I think comprehension is really important.
My dd is a brilliant parrot so sounds smart! Ask her what she means and she doesn't have a clue.
It sounds like they are doing really well so enjoy it. The school will fill in the gaps.

Lucysky2017, I've seen somewhere that people above IQ130 is about 2 % of the population.(I maybe wrong.) So, even if the class is "top 20% by IQ", still have quite a broad range of ability, from not so gifted but slightly above average to profoundly gifted.