CHILDREN in York who show they are gifted and talented are to be nurtured in a city-wide programme, aimed at encouraging the top students to reach their potential.
City of York Council is to co-ordinate a programme to encourage children who show signs of outstanding talent in sport, music or academic subjects.
Coun Carol Runciman, executive member for education with City of York Council, said: "We want to nurture these children and although things are happening in individual schools we want it all to be co-ordinated by the LEA (Local Education Authority). It may be they have a particular academic talent like maths or computers, or it could be any other aspect of the curriculum.
"Every child should be stretched to achieve their potential and it is the teachers' skill to find it, but sometimes the children go beyond what the school has to offer and we have to bring in outside help."
Coun Runciman said nurturing talented students would not be at the detriment of students who were average or under-achievers.
She said: "I think they are being catered for very well at the moment.
She said other children were being catered for very well and that had been shown in the LEA'S recent Ofsted inspection.
The move has been prompted following the recent Ofsted inspection of City of York Council, where inspectors recommended that the area of gifted and talented students should be developed.
At present, there are 150 students in the city considered to be "gifted and talented" and it is hoped a more co-ordinated approach may boost numbers. Over the next year the LEA will be helping both primary and secondary schools with the work already established to encourage gifted and talented students.
More opportunities will be available in the arts service at the city's sports college, based at Oaklands School, for talented students.
The LEA will also look into opportunities for gifted children to reach their potential by working with higher education providers and the business community.
It is also hoped that funding can be found to help younger students who show signs of being gifted.
Updated: 11:42 Wednesday, May 05, 2004
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