Gifted and Talented

The National Programme

Gifted and Talented education seeks to improve the education of gifted and talented children and young people aged 3-19 in schools and colleges throughout England. Its core objectives are to:

  • Achieve significant, measurable improvement in the attainment, aspirations, motivation and self esteem of gifted and talented pupils and students, especially those at risk of underachieving, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Improve the quality of identification, provision and support in school, colleges, clusters, partnerships and LEAs, giving priority to the weakest, and develop robust quality standards to support this.
  • Develop tools, and identify and use levers, to help ensure that every maintained school and college in every LEA is equipped to differentiate teaching and learning to meet individual needs at the upper end of the ability range.

The White Paper ‘Higher Standards, Better Schools for All’ ( 2005 ) sets out the Government’s plans to further improve outcomes for gifted and talented learners. It indicates that all schools must provide stretch and challenge to ensure gifted and talented pupils can achieve their potential.  

The Paper aims to improve the coherence and quality of:

  • Out of school learning opportunities and support for pupils.
  • Support for parents, educators and schools at local, regional and national levels.

Providing for the gifted and talented pupils in schools is a question of equity, receiving an education that is suited to their particular needs and abilities. Activities and work should, challenge, stretch, excite, celebrate excellence and be personalised in a supportive environment to meet the needs of not only the gifted and talented but all pupils.

Useful links

Website: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk