Teaching Able, Gifted and Talented Children - Practical School

In this review of Teaching Able, Gifted and Talented Children, Clive Tunnicliffe offers a pragmatic guide for educators seeking realistic classroom and whole-school approaches to provision for AG&T learners. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its balance of concise theory with immediately usable strategies: each chapter ends with case studies, classroom ideas and summaries that make translating policy into practice straightforward. This review finds it most useful for teachers and school leaders aiming to embed AG&T work within Every Child Matters and personalized learning frameworks.

Key Features

• Whole-school policy guidance: Practical advice on developing an AG&T policy helps leaders align provision with broader school aims and legislation.
• Identification strategies: Clear approaches to defining and identifying AG&T learners support more consistent selection and tracking across classes.
• Classroom strategies: Tested classroom techniques give teachers ready-to-use activities that extend and challenge able learners.
• Creative and critical thinking: Exercises and lesson ideas focus on developing higher-order thinking rather than rote acceleration alone.
• Out-of-school enrichment: Suggestions for after-school and external activities support broader development and parental engagement.
• Parent and support guidance: Practical tips on working with parents and supporting AG&T learners ensure provision is collaborative.

Who It's For

Teaching Able, Gifted and Talented Children is aimed primarily at primary and secondary teachers, subject leaders and headteachers who need a concise, applied resource to shape AG&T provision within the Every Child Matters framework. It is especially helpful for schools beginning to formalize policy or looking for classroom-level examples to share with staff.

Those seeking an in-depth academic treatise or extensive research meta-analysis should look elsewhere; this book is focused on accessible guidance and practical implementation rather than exhaustive theory or statistical studies.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concrete policy and classroom suggestions make it straightforward to implement AG&T provision across a school.
• Chapter summaries and case studies provide quick reference points for staff training and INSET sessions.
• Focus on creative and critical thinking promotes a rounded approach to gifted education rather than narrow acceleration.

Cons

• Not a detailed academic research volume, so readers wanting comprehensive literature reviews may find it limited.

Specifications

Title	Teaching Able, Gifted and Talented Children
Author	Clive Tunnicliffe
Focus	AG&T provision, policy and classroom strategies
Key topics	Identification, classroom strategies, enrichment, parental support
Context	Every Child Matters and personalised learning
Includes	Chapter summaries, case studies and ready-to-use ideas

Our Verdict

For schools that need a practical, readable guide to setting up and improving AG&T provision, this book delivers good value through clear policy guidance and classroom-ready activities. It is best for practitioners who want useful examples and implementation help rather than exhaustive theoretical discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include classroom activities?
Yes. Each chapter contains great ideas and activities designed for immediate classroom use.

Is the book suitable for whole-school policy development?
Yes. It offers explicit advice on developing a whole-school AG&T policy aligned with Every Child Matters goals.

Will it help engage parents?
Yes. The book includes guidance on working with parents and involving them in supporting AG&T learners.