quark Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Any leads on how to keep challenging very precocious UK tweens? I am asking on behalf of two families, one in North Wales and one in the Essex area. One family homeschools and the other doesn't. Both are dealing with very highly gifted sons in the 11-12yo age range. High precocity in the areas of math, physics and history. I heard that Open University was an option but it looks like not anymore? Did they change their fees or something like that? Are there any good places to find tutors/ mentors/ university level classes and such either online or in person? How about support groups? Grateful for any leads at all! Thank you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 No ideas, really. I started Calvin early into certified higher level courses (first GCSE at age 11), made sure to go wide as well as deep, and put him into an IB programme one year early. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 No ideas, really. I started Calvin early into certified higher level courses (first GCSE at age 11), made sure to go wide as well as deep, and put him into an IB programme one year early. Thank you, Laura. How early can a student start IB? Sorry, I am so clueless about UK programs. Would really like to help them both (disclaimer: I am related to one of the families). And are there any special hoops to jump to take GCSE early? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 How early can a student start IB? Its up to the school whether a child is too young The school here that I asked is willing to do grade skips as appropriate so my oldest could have start the IB diploma (11th & 12th grade) at 13. However this kid of mine won't be happy with the volume of output at any age so hubby and I scrap that option. He just don't enjoy writing. "Answer The Diploma Programme is primarily aimed at students between the ages of 16 and 19, however this is a guideline rather than a requirement. If a student of an age outside of this range wishes to study the diploma, this is at the school's discretion ensuring that the student is sufficiently mature to cope with the demands of the course." https://ibanswers.ibo.org/app/answers/detail/a_id/1633/~/is-there-a-minimum-or-maximum-starting-age-for-the-diploma-programme%3F Link to how to register as a private candidate for GCSE in UK. http://www.aqa.org.uk/student-support/private-candidates 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Agreeing with Arcadia. The IB is only offered by private schools, and it's up to the school whom they take and at what age. The system in Scotland already has a lot more leeway built in than does the one in England/Wales, with age ranges of almost two years within one class. There is no barrier to GCSE exam entry at any age, but you need to find a school that is willing to host you for the exams. Again, this is usually private schools: if the candidate mentions community benefit to the school that can help, as most private schools are charities that have to show societal benefit in order to hold onto their charitable status. Calvin took his first GCSE at 11 at Fettes College in Edinburgh; the later ones he took at the school he finally ended up attending. One of the problems with the UK educational system, however, is that it is so exam based. The exams aren't multi-choice, in general, so you do need to be able to construct an essay. But working towards the exams is inevitable and can be very confining. As there are no transcripts beyond exam results, it can be tricky (although not impossible, I believe) to gain university entrance without taking a slew of exams. My boys (private school) took around 11 GCSE subjects (two or three exams per subject). 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Someone my dc's know has enjoyed participating with this group http://www.potentialplusuk.org/about.php?id=17. Early gcse exams are easier to access as igcse through a private school. As Laura said writing skills must be good to be successful on those exams. I know kids who have used open university. I think recently. I think they pay the fee, not free. I don't think it was ever free. My dc's enjoyed this competition http://www.m-a.org.uk/primary-maths-challenge when they were younger which is open to home ed through a coordinator. My dc's placed very high so no barriers even though it could be seen as a school based compettion. There is an age cut off but the 11 yo might still qualify. My dc's have also loved this competition which is for slightly older kids. http://www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/cryptography_competition/ Team based, they were their own team. With two it was possible to get good results because great speed is required. Harder with just one to get the competitive results but ds still had fun the year he did it by himself because dd had aged out. Another friend's gifted dd has loved this group http://www.yac-uk.org/ for the history lover. Because of her serious interest it has been a springboard way above group activities. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 Thanks so much for these answers and ideas! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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