What can I expect?

[Megami]

We are new to Britain, having moved here from Australia. I was a G&T student, receiving little support before hitting highschool. My husband is the same.
Now our son is 4.5 and his bi-linugal preschool in Australia commented that if he was in Australia he would probably be included in 'extension' work at primary school to accommodate the fact he is a very bright boy (wary of using 'gifted' as that can be such a loaded term). He is starting school 23 February at the local state primary school which on the website talks a lot about 'inclusion' but not much about helping kids at the other end of the spectrum (as in those who don't have learning difficulties and behaviour problems).

How much can I expect from the school? I am quite happy to be bolshie and ask for stuff if it is expected. Since he is not coming in at the beginning of the year will he be assessed for the 'Gifted and Talented Register'? (and what is that BTW?) Are children ever skipped school year based on ability? Can I actually ask for extra programs for him or will I be expected to cater for that at home? (Which I will do anyway).

Thanks in advance for any help!

[lljkk]

Bugger all .
You cater at home, and otherwise be vigilent that he's neither bored nor picked on at school.
I think skipping years is very out of fashion now.

[LIZS]

Most schools wouldn't even operate a G and T scheme at that age since development tends to happen in fits and starts. Extension work is something each individual teacher would do anyway for those who are achieving above the level currently being taught to the whole class. However bear in mind Reception is more about learning through play than rote and books. Perhaps look to use the balance of this year to settle him and socialise rather than academically. There are bound to be areas of diffenrce between the systems which he will be able to make up.

Why not arrange to meet his teacher to run through what is being taught at the moment and how, websites and ofsteds are far form the be all and end all. At the beginning of Reception year, and intermittently during it, a baseline assessment is done of what the child already knows and that is worked upon under the Foundation Stage Early Years curriculum which looks at various areas of development and assesses them on a scale up to 9. The teacher should be able to talk you through this system and how you can support it at home.

[Megami]

Thanks for the info Lizs. I realise that normally at this age it is all about play based learning but I have one of those children who demands at home to do 'learning' and wants to do spelling, reading and maths! (Don't get me wrong, he also loves to play as well). My worry is that he will get bored in Reception class and all the consequent behaviours.
We will see what happens.

[lljkk]

The G&T register is, arguably, just an accounting exercise meant to placate the middle classes that their little darlings don't need to be educated in the private sector (and a lot worse criticisms than that).

If a child goes on the GTR, it's usually just for a specific subject (like languages, or literacy).

Like LiZs says, see how it goes. The school has an obligation to stretch the child to their potential, no matter what that is.

I was labeled G&T as a child, too, and the school's efforts to extend me were quite pathetic in retrospect (1970s). So I am wary of the value of using such labels, too.

Must go off now and use my superior brain power to clean the rodent cage before tea time.

[cory]

The fact that the G&T register may not apply doesn't mean he can't get work at his level.

In our Infants, at least from Year 1, the children worked at different tables according to ability in maths and literacy and got set work that was suited to their ability. In dd's junior the top set were doing Year 8 maths by the time they got to Year 6. So I wouldn't call that bugger all. Doesn't have to be called G&T to have the same effect.

Also, a lot of literacy work like story writing can be done to any level and even in infants the children were often given little projects they could do at home, in subjects like geography and history. I remember dd at age 6 being told to research Argentina. Not specifically for the G&T, but very helpful for them, as such a project again can be done to any standard.

[cory]

What I'm trying to say is, don't get too hung up on the label but make sure your ds is tuned in to any extra learning opportunities.