[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

God forbid the more able kids shouldn't be dragged down to the level of the disruptive non-learners. I can't understand why the notion of ability being encouraged is so outrageous to some. And the PM is right to look for an alternative to simply returning to the old model.

It's that time of year again Livia! When we agree on something .

The most academically able students should be identified and allowed to enter an environment where they can thrive and reach that potential... And the ability to have that happened shouldn't be limited by family income. This seems like pretty basic common sense when it comes to creating a thriving economy.

There are many state schools that are excellent and get it right... In an ideal world this would be true of all schools but in reality... It's just not the case.

I also agree with rewarding ability and am constantly irritated by my daughter's school even at primary school level on that front. She is ahead in everything... But fairly effortlessly. She's inherited my unfortunate laziness. But they don't reward attainment... They reward "effort"... Even if that effort gets bog standard results .

I'd go further and make it more than academic in terms of opportunities... For example, a guy in my woodworking class at school was creating things that were seriously quality, aged 14. I would say genuinely gifted. It came to him effortlessly. Of course he fell through the net dramatically because he wasn't excelling at English / Maths and now I'm pretty sure he's either completely down and out, or dead.

If someone had picked up on that early and allowed him to pursue it his life could have gone in a completely different direction.