§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what initiatives the Government have announced with respect to gifted children; [81585]
(2) what provision his Department advises local authorities to make with respect to gifted children at state schools. [81584]
§ Mr. HainLocal education authorities have a statutory duty to ensure pupils of statutory school age receive education suitable to their age, ability or aptitude, including pupils of above average ability. This will usually be in a mainstream school. The National Curriculum provides for children of all abilities, including those who are gifted. The Education Act 1996 gives LEAs discretion to arrange for the withdrawal of a pupil from primary school for the purpose of receiving secondary education once a child has reached the age of 10 years and 6 months.
Our priority is to improve standards of educational attainment for all children in Wales. The Welsh Office Education White Paper "Building Excellent Schools Together", published in July 1997, recognised the need for schools to stretch gifted pupils to achieve their full potential. The Government have established a Gifted and Talented Advisory Group to contribute to the development of a strategy for the early identification and effective provision for gifted and talented children. The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for 255W Wales (ACCAC), which is represented on the Group, will also ensure that the needs of such pupils are considered as part of their review of the National Curriculum in Wales. Following the transfer of functions, these issues will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.