Choosing a school for gifted kids

Sometimes, a gifted child's accelerated academic abilities develop faster than their physical growth, so choosing a school that understands and caters for this variance is important.

Both public and private schools cater for gifted students - so your choice for your child will be determined by many personal factors.

The Gifted Education Research Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC) at the University of NSW suggests that the following questions could be asked of the principal of your gifted child's prospective school:

· Does your school have a policy on gifted education?
· Is there an assessment procedure or formal identification process for finding gifted children in your school?
  Could you please explain this process?
· Could you explain how the school might cater for a gifted child?
· Is there a particular teacher who looks after the needs of gifted education at your school?
· Would it be possible to discuss what the school offers in this area in more detail with that person?

What about Opportunity Classes?

Opportunity Classes, or as they are commonly known,‘OC Classes', offer intellectual stimulation and a rich educational environment for academically gifted and talented children in Years 5 and 6.

OC Classes can be found in selected public primary schools throughout NSW and positions in them are highly sought after.

Mona Vale Public School, Neutral Bay Public School, Artarmon Public School and Chatswood Public School offer Opportunity Classes to children in the Northern Beaches and North Shore areas.

To gain a place in an OC class, children must sit for an Opportunity Class Placement Test when they are in Year 4. The results of this test, combined with school assessments and other information about academic merit, determine a child's chance of acceptance to an OC class.

What is a Selective School?

Selective high schools provide an educationally enriched environment for academically gifted secondary students who are also high achievers.

Like OC Classes, Selective Schools are part of the ‘public' education system in NSW. Most Selective Schools students enter in Year 7 and positions are determined by students' results in the Selective High School Placement Test.

Children usually sit for this examination in the first term of Year 6, prior to the start of high school.

To gain entry to a Selective School, students' skills in English (including reading and writing), mathematics and general ability are tested. Their primary school's assessment of their performance in English and mathematics can also play a significant part in a child's acceptance to a Selective School.

Northern Beaches Secondary College - Manly Campus, North Sydney Girls High School, North Sydney Boys High School and offer fully selective secondary education opportunities to students living in the Northern Beaches and North Shore areas.

Chatswood High School has a partially selective program and extension programs for talented students in both academic and creative subjects are offered at schools like Balgowlah Boys High School, Killarney Heights High School, Mackellar Girls High School and Mosman High School.

Need support for your Gifted and Talented child?

Kids First's after school education programs support gifted children with enrichment classes in English, writing, maths and Selective schools preparation.

Confident Little Kids classes for children aged 3-5 also cater for talented pre-schoolers

Kids First's Educational Psychologist, Karen Spitzer provides IQ and learning assessments that identify Gifted and Talented children

Call Kids First on 9938 5419 for more information

Other helpful websites:

GERRIC - School holiday programs for Gifted and Talented children
NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children

Acknowledgement:

Information from the following sources was used to compile this article:
· Gifted Education Research Resource and Information Centre (GERRIC) - University of NSW
· NSW Department of Education and Training
· Catholic Schools Office - Diocese of Broken Bay - Gifted and Talented Parent Advisory Group

© Kids First Children's Services 2009