English Model of Gifted and Talented Education: Policy, Context and Challenges

This chapter outlines the prevailing model of gifted and talented education in England and to analyze the challenges and opportunities it faces. The English model was formulated in 1999, and implementation effectively started in 2002 with the establishment of the government funded National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth at the University of Warwick. The approach used to deliver gifted education in England is intended to be integrated in two ways; gifted education is an integral part of general education policy, and the approach used integrates pupils with their chronological peers as much as possible. In the English model, special attention is paid to those from underrepresented groups. The English model presents itself as radical in that it is systemic: It is embedded in the national system and therefore dependent for effective implementation on the involvement of the whole education profession.