'More able and talented' what exactly does it mean?

[breakfastbap]

Got a letter from DS's school this morning inviting us and him to a special parents evening next week. Apparently based on his YR 10 GCSEs and teacher recommendation he is included in the schools MAT programme and the 5A/A* target group.

All lovely but why do they want to see us? What will labelling the group MAT achieve? Is it extra work? DS hasn't decided on University for certain yet (just started yr 11) and he doesn't even know what he wants to do? He's the type of child that if you push him too hard in one direction he'll become a bit stubborn so I don't really want him pigeonholed just yet.

We will go along to the parents evening but Id appreciate anyone else having had experience of this.

It just means potentially above average, and will be given opportunities to broaden his horizons a little. He is not being pigeon holed in the slightest. Why wouldn't wider opportunities for him?

They want to see you because one of the biggest indicators of success in exams is having parents who are involved in your education and in contact with, and supporting, the school. If your negative, dismissive tone is anything to go by, maybe this is what the school is trying to change, as it is likely to be a barrier to your DCs achievement.

Do you ever miss parents evenings and things like that?

No, we've never missed a parents evening. We've always been really supportive and tried to broaden his knowledge through everyday things outside of school too. I'm not being negative, I just wondered if the invitation would be to press university on him, at the moment he's very unsure about going and being the type of lad he is if he is pushed he'll did his heels in and won't go.

Don't worry, they are not signing him up for Oxford - just yet! It will probably be an evening to tell you that good results open doors you and him may not have thought about. He should be encouraged to work hard so getting you on board makes sense. There is really nothing to be gained by not supporting the school and they obviously want the best for him.

Perhaps they will speak to you about how he can be a bit more mature about his future? Being stubborn is a barrier to learning and success if it stops you being aware of alternatives.

"More able and talented" means whatever your DS's school has decided it means. I guess you'll find out if you go to the meeting!

At a similar event at DD1's school, they gave us information about useful online resources and events that highly able students might find interesting. But in our case, that was back in year 7.

At year 11 I imagine they may well be wanting to open his eyes to the opportunities that might be available to him, to motivate him for the rest of this year. Hopefully they will be able to do that in a positive way without making him feel under pressure.

They may also suggest A-levels which are facilitating subjects, may do trips to uni to get an idea of what it's like, possibly flag up scholarship opportunities.