How is it assessed?

[CourgetteYumYums]

The reception teacher of our child, 5 last December, has said that he is top of the class in all subjects but has not moved it beyond that. He is at an outstanding school where children start, and finish, above average. He has been reading chapter books at home with us and we create worksheets that he completes on these as well as encouraging him with maths and we do small science experiments with kits.

We want to make sure he is being challenged as I was top of my class in everything till year 9 when I lost interest because I was bored. Obviously I'm keen that he doesn't experience this so would like him challenged effectively. He's already told me school is boring when he has to do group work so would like some help on getting him more challenging work. Could anyone with experience of gifted and talented give me some information. I'd never heard of it till a teacher friend was around my son and suggested this may be an avenue. Thank you.

[richmal]

I too worked with dd at home, both before she went to school and when she was at school. Many children can learn at a much faster pace doing this. From reading this forum, schools seem to fall into two categories; those that do differentiate for the higher ability and those that do not.

I think dd was labelled gifted and talented by the school. It did not make the slightest difference.

In later years of primary children were put in sets for some subjects, but it depends whether a child is working within or beyond the level of the top group as to whether they will be challenged by the work. Also if the school will cater for those who are working at a higher level than the top set.

Have you asked the school if they are put in sets in higher years? It is hard to ask the school without feeling like a pushy parent and perhaps reception is too early to ask. I think I started asking in about year 1 or 2.

[moginthedark]

Some schools will let a child go and work with higher classes for some subjects - DD had a reading group with year 2 in the last term of reception.

But I agree with Richmal, some schools do it naturally, others need to be asked, while others just can't seem to manage it.

[CourgetteYumYums]

Thank you for responses. I'm going to ask for a meeting with the teacher. She's extremely supportive so hoping if the school do have a scheme for those who are finding things a bit easier then we may be able to access it. I'm so scared that he may get bored and lose his love of learning like I did. At the minute he loves learning new things and asks to do quizzes on things he has learnt so I'm keen to encourage this!