How can I help my son succeed in very average schools?

[Sunnyday14558]

My son is 3.5 but is already showing signs of being bright. The area we live in has nice primary schools but the secondary school does not have a good reputation. I know it’s a way off but I want him to have the same opportunities as his friends who live in better catchment areas.

does anyone have any advice for things I can try and aim towards in order to help him?

I’m not sure we will be able to move into a better catchment area so I’m thinking more in lines of alternative education, bursaries, programmes etc

One good thing you can do is model a value for education. Let him see you read, see books in the house. Make it clear that learning is a good thing to be valued and pursued.

When he is at primary, read with him, to him, hear him read. Take him to museums and galleries, science fairs and historical sites; encourage interest in sport, or playing an instrument, or drama, or history, or science.

Offer support if he is struggling with work. When he gets older, and is in secondary, again offer support if needed; make sure he has a quiet place to do his work and encourage him to do it, show him you place a value on it.

Not sure what you are thinking of with bursaries - bursary to attend private school? or something else? When his interests become more apparent, encourage them and see if there are ways he can develop them – eg if he sings, can he join a choir, if he likes to write are there creative writing comps he can enter. That kind of thing.