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E-credits for more gifted pupils E-credits for more gifted pupils
(about 1 hour later)
The government is arranging "e-credits" for schools to access extra lessons for an estimated 800,000 gifted pupils.The government is arranging "e-credits" for schools to access extra lessons for an estimated 800,000 gifted pupils.
The £65m scheme is part of its drive to ensure all children in England with special talents are given extra help.The £65m scheme is part of its drive to ensure all children in England with special talents are given extra help.
Schools will be asked to list their gifted and talented pupils in the census data it now collects each term. It requires all schools to list their gifted and talented pupils in the census data it now collects each term.
Some teachers have resisted the whole idea - while others say the obvious answer is to reintroduce grammar schools in all areas.Some teachers have resisted the whole idea - while others say the obvious answer is to reintroduce grammar schools in all areas.
The e-credits system is to be run by the not-for-profit CfBT Education Trust from next September.The e-credits system is to be run by the not-for-profit CfBT Education Trust from next September.
'TALENT SPOTTING' Schools need to be particularly vigilant for the 'hidden gifted' or under-represented groups, such as underachievers, those for whom English is not their first language, those with learning or physical disabilities or those from different cultural or socio-economic groups DfES guidance to schools It says each pupil would initially receive the equivalent of a number of credits - worth about £80 - which their schools could use to buy extra lessons from companies, independent schools, universities or learned bodies.'TALENT SPOTTING' Schools need to be particularly vigilant for the 'hidden gifted' or under-represented groups, such as underachievers, those for whom English is not their first language, those with learning or physical disabilities or those from different cultural or socio-economic groups DfES guidance to schools It says each pupil would initially receive the equivalent of a number of credits - worth about £80 - which their schools could use to buy extra lessons from companies, independent schools, universities or learned bodies.
Development director Tim Emmett said: "The government is seeing this as part of school improvement rather than a lifeboat for a few bright children."Development director Tim Emmett said: "The government is seeing this as part of school improvement rather than a lifeboat for a few bright children."
A spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) declined to comment on the details because contract negotiations were continuing.A spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) declined to comment on the details because contract negotiations were continuing.
Identifying potentialIdentifying potential
The government initially said it wanted schools to identify the top 10% of pupils - amounting to about 800,000 nationally. The government says it now wants schools to identify the top 10% of pupils - amounting to about 800,000 nationally.
Within those, about half would also be eligible for the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, it said. Within those, about half would also be eligible for the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.
But there is no requirement on schools or even guidance setting out any such figure. It is up to each school to identify its gifted and talented pupils.But there is no requirement on schools or even guidance setting out any such figure. It is up to each school to identify its gifted and talented pupils.
Officials at the DfES say that on average last year the census in secondary schools identified "around 10%" as gifted and talented.Officials at the DfES say that on average last year the census in secondary schools identified "around 10%" as gifted and talented.
HAVE YOUR SAY We should shorten the public/state school gap so all can achieve their potential Andy, London Send us your comments The department defines these as having abilities which are "developed to a level significantly ahead of their year group - or with the potential to develop those abilities".HAVE YOUR SAY We should shorten the public/state school gap so all can achieve their potential Andy, London Send us your comments The department defines these as having abilities which are "developed to a level significantly ahead of their year group - or with the potential to develop those abilities".
Gifted refers to capability in academic subjects, talented covers visio-spatial or practical skills such as in games and PE, drama or art.Gifted refers to capability in academic subjects, talented covers visio-spatial or practical skills such as in games and PE, drama or art.
The government acknowledges that often the children who are identified are those who have had opportunities to develop their talents.The government acknowledges that often the children who are identified are those who have had opportunities to develop their talents.
So it is also trying to reach children whose parents either do not bother or cannot afford to provide such extra-curricular activities.So it is also trying to reach children whose parents either do not bother or cannot afford to provide such extra-curricular activities.
Schools minister Lord Adonis told a "gifted and talented" conference in November: "Let's be absolutely clear that these children exist in every school.Schools minister Lord Adonis told a "gifted and talented" conference in November: "Let's be absolutely clear that these children exist in every school.
"When the stork delivering gifted babies to the families of this country flies overhead, it doesn't carry instructions to land only on pitched roofs in the leafy suburbs.""When the stork delivering gifted babies to the families of this country flies overhead, it doesn't carry instructions to land only on pitched roofs in the leafy suburbs."
Separate schoolsSeparate schools
There has been some resistance to the whole issue, however - with a third of secondary schools currently having no pupils registered at the national academy.There has been some resistance to the whole issue, however - with a third of secondary schools currently having no pupils registered at the national academy.
Responses to an article in the official Teachernet newsletter included these comments: "As I understand it, we give the pupils a test when they enter the school (just after age 11, I think), and those who pass, benefit from lessons with their peers, rather than with those who are not so gifted or talented."Responses to an article in the official Teachernet newsletter included these comments: "As I understand it, we give the pupils a test when they enter the school (just after age 11, I think), and those who pass, benefit from lessons with their peers, rather than with those who are not so gifted or talented."
The writer added: "as this is so good for them, it would obviously be even better for them to have all their lessons like this.The writer added: "as this is so good for them, it would obviously be even better for them to have all their lessons like this.
DID YOU KNOW? Pupils whose usual mode of travel is by Scooter, Skateboard or Roller Skates/blades should record their usual mode of travel as Walking Official pupil census guidance "Perhaps we could set up a pilot school on this basis. I wonder what we would call such a school?"DID YOU KNOW? Pupils whose usual mode of travel is by Scooter, Skateboard or Roller Skates/blades should record their usual mode of travel as Walking Official pupil census guidance "Perhaps we could set up a pilot school on this basis. I wonder what we would call such a school?"
Another asked what to tell a girl who said: "Miss, I really wanted to go to the giant insects workshop today, but I'm not clever enough," adding that the criteria for inclusion should be "good attendance, good behaviour, good citizenship - anything but natural ability".Another asked what to tell a girl who said: "Miss, I really wanted to go to the giant insects workshop today, but I'm not clever enough," adding that the criteria for inclusion should be "good attendance, good behaviour, good citizenship - anything but natural ability".
The government said those letters "recycle two old myths".The government said those letters "recycle two old myths".
Readers were assured the scheme was "not about selection" - and nor would other children be neglected.Readers were assured the scheme was "not about selection" - and nor would other children be neglected.