Letters inviting children to gifted and talented events

[Bluebell99]

Do you think letters inviting children to events because they are gifted and talented are a ploy to get parents to persuade their children to attend?! My dd has been invited to attend a Maths master class. Not sure many people would be falling over themselves to attend a Maths class for an hour and a half in the evening and they want a parent to attend as well. We will be going although my dd is saying her other friends are saying their parents are insisting they go. Also they have cast their net quite wide, and invited not just the top table of 6 (60 pupil year group) but the children on next table too. But what really grates for me, is this event is being staged by the local high school, and of the children on the top table at least four of the six will be choosing to send their child to an out of catchment "better" school. It just seems a bit disengenious to me.

[Iamnotminterested]

I get your point about the invited kids not going to be moving on to that school, when dd was in year 6 several "G&T" days (vomits) were offered to the elite few in her year, same kids every time, one of whom admitted that they didn't even like the subject or want to go and another who had signed up months before to a different high school. Sorry, that doesn't really answer your question but just wanted to add how wrong the system is (round here, anyway).

[SavoyCabbage]

I got one of these today and I has one a couple of years ago too, which dd went to. They remind me of those dodgy modeling agencies who tell people you have to pay for a portfolio.

Having said that, my dd had a great day at the one she went to.

[member]

At least it's free, recently got one where there was a fee for the day of £49!

[bruffin]

My Dd went to a week one in summer holidays and a few in school time. She didn't end up at either school. They were the schools that were chosen to coordinate the course, I don't see why there should.be any obligation to go.
Now in secondary both mine have been to.gT days at Cambridge, should they be obliged to go there because they hosted the day.

[LeeCoakley]

Well maybe the 'better' school don't care and can't be arsed to provide anything for the wider community.

[bruffin]

I thought the lea organised the days and the schools were just chosen to host them.

[Innat]

The school probably realise that most of the parents have already made up their minds about sending their kids to the "better" school so are trying to encourage people to come and see what they can offer.
Getting parents involved in their kids education has been shown to be very positive for both kids grades and behaviour so a lot of schools are trying to engage parents now especially secondary where they may not have done so before. They are also trying to build links with primary schools.
However I do agree with other posters that G&T does tend to cream off the elite few when it should be more about potential than actual attainment to date (which is often directly linked to socio-economic status). In this respect I think it is good they have broadened who is invited.

[justaminutemum]

My son was selected to attend the local high school for one maths lesson a week last year (year 5) with another 5 children from 2 feeder schools. He was also invited to maths masterclasses at a nearby grammar school held after school once a week. He really enjoyed the sessions. He was happy to do both, and was given an opportunity to experience different maths concepts outwith KS2 curriculum.

[AChickenCalledKorma]

DD1 was also invited to one of these days by the local "unpopular" high school. The event was in the last term of year 5 and it seemed pretty clear to me that their main motivation was to attract bright children and show their parents that the school has a decent programme for the most able children.

Ours was during a school day and parents were not required to attend, but the children came home with lots of happy stories about exploding science experiments, and a nice glossy brochure about the gifted & talented programme.

(And yes, we have applied to that school!)