G&T - is it basically a box ticking exercise for Ofsted?

[MyballsareSandy]

I have two DDs in year 9. According to their last report DD1 was one level behind where she should be in PE and DT. However, she came home with a letter saying she had been identified as 'gifted and talented' in both these subjects, putting her in the top 5% of pupils in her year.

DD2 - effort level was 'requires improvement' and grade was one level behind where she should be, and she also had a G&T letter for PE.

I don't get it. I know it depends on the class and the school etc etc, but it's a good school, with lots of bright pupils. Surely if they are 'behind' in a subject then they can't be in the top 5%.

It seems random, as though the school thought 'shit, ofsted will need to see our G&T data, let's pick a few kids and tick that box'.

Nothing ever happens to these 'g&t' kids, no extra work or trips or anything. What is the point of it?

I obviously haven't expressed these views to the DDs! But I'm interested in the mumsnet view.

Not private!
Local comp. They do offer it but DC can only take GCSE if they do after school lessons.

There seem to be a lot of confusion about RE. When my DD said she wanted to take it as a GCSE options, I was gobsmacked as we are not religious at all and she never expressed an interest in it. Considering she can only take 3 options, I was overly impressed with her choice, but she explained that the curiculum is much more than just religious study. It is about debating society matters, ethics, moral standards etc... She is determined to go to Medical School and I could then see how it would fit with that choice. As a matter of fact, we went to a Medical School opening day and one presentation covered a topic that was exactly the same than what she had studied at school the week before.

As for the G&T, both my children are at the top of their year, but the label G&T has never been branded. I am grateful that teachers recognise able children regardless of their label and ensure they are given additional work in class. It has given them access to a number of events organised by the school or other organisations, but that's it.

just thought I'd update. It is all sorted out & all concerned are happy with the outcome. She has an hour a week to do whatever interests her - which today was maths revision!

(I agree that a couple of years of compulsory RE is a great way of making atheists!)

swingofthings I did RE GCSE back in the mists of time - I went on to do medicine & used the same argument your daughter did. It was interesting, not particularly relevant tbh but I enjoyed it.

Unfortunately dd's school interpret the RE curriculum as purely the examination of Christian views on contemporary moral issues ... we have an awful lot of problems with that, especially when it is taught without a critical eye.