Presentation for parents by Phil Creek, Adviser with Responsibility for Gifted and Talented Pupils. DES June 2008 Gifted and Talented

‘All of us do not have equal talent but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent’. J.F. Kennedy.

“The more I practise the luckier I seem to get” “ You must work very hard to become a natural golfer” Gary Player What is the message to able pupils? ”

Joseph Renzuli, a leading American educational academic, stated in 2003 that the importance of fostering gifted and talented was not just for their own sake, but for the benefit of the entire population. He put it simply: " A rising tide raises all ships”

Types of ability There is a whole range of different abilities, talents or gifts that able pupils demonstrate. It is not only academic ability that is important to identify. Although high IQ is important children's abilities vary and include: 1. intellectual (e.g. aspects of language, mathematics) 2. creative (e.g. science, technical, creative writing) 3. artistic (e.g. art, music, drama) 4. practical (e.g. technological and "hands-on") 5. physical (e.g. sports, dance, movement) 6. social (e.g. personal and interpersonal, leadership qualities) 7. a pupil with ability who is presently under-achieving

Recent figures (in the 2007 school census) show that nationally 91 per cent of secondary and 65 per cent of primary schools are identifying their gifted and talented pupils, over 733,000 in total. Devon has 100% of secondary schools and 87% primary schools at present with a register of G&T pupils.

The government through The National Strategies has developed for schools an audit of provision called The National Quality Standards. For schools there are two parts - The Institutional Quality Standards (IQS) and the Classroom Quality Standards (CQS). The National Strategies also provide training materials for each school’s G&T Leading Teacher. The National Quality Standards for G&T

How do we know if we are making progress with G&T pupils? 1. The level of engagement, enthusiasm and progress of the most able 2. The development of teaching and learning in classrooms which takes into account the needs of the most able 3. Improving standards

The school is the centre of provision for G&T but who provides support for pupils beyond the school? There are four major sources of G&T information, activities and support for schools, pupils and parents/cares.

1. Young Gifted & Talented YG&T The Young Gifted & Talented programme is funded by The government (DCSF) to support and give all gifted and talented learners in England the opportunity to reach their full potential. The YG&T website provides information and resources to help support gifted learners, their parents/carers, educators, governors and local authorities. The site includes stimulating programmes and activities and provides information and resources including a parents section which is found from the home page-

Young Gifted & Talented YG&T. YG&T is a membership organisation to which all pupils on the school G&T register can apply. Information is being sent out to all schools about this during June This will include an individual membership pack for each pupil. The letter to parents is on the next two pages.

Dear Parent or Carer Welcome to the Young Gifted & Talented (YG&T) programme Your child has been identified by their school as having special skills, gifts or talents. Now is the time to encourage them to register as a Learner Academy member at the YG&T website – so that he or she can begin to benefit from the wide range of opportunities that come with membership of the YG&T programme. The programme was launched in its first phase in September 2007, and aims to provide all the support, inspiration, encouragement and information learners need to help them maximise their gifts and talents, whatever they may be. Managed by CfBT Education Trust on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Young Gifted & Talented programme is a single online portal for all gifted and talented resources, information and activities. If you or your child are not aware of the YG&T website – at – why not take a look now? There’s a great deal to investigate, and almost always something new on offer. There are activities in all areas of the country available in the YG&T Catalogue – face-to-face, online, and some are free of charge.

Your child has been given a pack which explains what the YG&T website offers to learners, and summarises the main benefits of membership. The membership card, which comes with the covering letter, provides a handy reminder of our contact details. If your child was formerly a NAGTY member, please encourage them to register again – even if they registered previously – to ensure we have the most up-to-date and correct school and contact details. Since the first phase of the new YG&T programme and website, a vibrant and unique gifted and talented learning community has started to build up and continues to grow. With your valuable feedback and suggestions, we will make this an even better programme – so please make full use of our contact details to , phone or write with your views. We hope you will help your child to make the most of membership of the programme – ensuring they register on the website, encouraging them to use the YG&T resources or take part in the activities, at school or elsewhere, and supporting them as they strive to make the most of their gifts or talents. There is a wealth of information for parents and carers too, so do explore the website and all it has to offer. Best wishes The YG&T team YG&T? Because your child can do great things!

2. National Association for Gifted Children NAGC is a national organisation which is able to give practical support and advice to help parents, gifted children and education and health professionals. It works at all levels to make real and practical changes to both perceptions of giftedness and to the way gifted children are provided for in the education system. To find out about membership benefits and to help NAGC continue to campaign for gifted children and their families please go to the membership page on the website – To receive free, impartial advice and information on all aspects of giftedness call the Information & Advice Service on or

3. South West Gifted and Talented Education. South West GaTE represents the local authorities in the south west government region. It supports gifted and talented education across the South West by providing opportunities for: pupil master classes and workshops; professional development for teachers including action research projects; updates on research and resources; networking and information sharing for educational professionals and parents. It has a very useful calendar with information about local pupil events. Website -

4. Devon Education Services (DES) - This is the Local Authority (LA) education service which provides support to schools, pupils and parents/carers. It has a substantial website with information for schools and parents. It also runs a number of one day and longer events for pupils. These are often through the SW GaTE but also through DES Education Advisers and Consultants. DES also provides training for Gifted and Talented Leading Teachers. This presentation is also on the DES G&T website -

The four most useful SW websites: YG&T - – The National G&T website National Association for Gifted Children – NAGC The South West Gate – For regional south west G&T information Devon Education Services - For local advice and guidance including the DES G&T Handbook – look for G&T under the subject section.