Extra cash and more summer schools for gifted and talented pupils

Schools minister Andrew Adonis has announced a package of support to encourage disadvantaged ‘gifted and talented’ pupils to apply for some of the country’s top universities.

Gifted and talented pupils in London, the Black Country and Greater Manchester will be entitled to £400 (NZ$1,134) a year to spend on after-school clubs and other enrichment activities as part of the government’s ‘City Challenge’ programmes.

Over 1,500 year 10 pupils eligible for Free Schools Meals are set to benefit each year under these new plans.

The support will cover raising the attainment and aspirations of these pupils as well as providing them with university-led outreach activities, guidance and mentoring.

Teachfirst is also piloting a new mentoring programme as part of London Challenge. Around 60 Teachfirst Ambassadors are being trained to act as mentors and the programme will include a number of events to broaden students’ awareness of Higher Education, the flagship being a residential course at Cambridge University, focusing on the ‘life’ skills needed for university, independent revision techniques and curriculum enrichment.

And as part of the national Young Gifted & Talented programme a series of summer schools run by universities will provide hundreds of opportunities to challenge, inspire and motivate gifted and talented learners across the country. Sessions include masterclasses in Forensic Science, creative workshops and opportunities to design and engineer equipment for a music studio.

There are 37 universities, including Cambridge and seven Russell Group institutions offering courses to pupils in their area predominantly through the programmeís Excellence Hubs. This reflects a fourfold increase in the number of places available. This year there are 21,882 learner places available compared to an average of 5,478 places in the previous three years.