Welcome to the Scottish Network for Able Pupils website!
This website is designed to help you explore the education of able pupils. There is information that will be of interest to teachers, pupils and parents.
Many countries in the world call these young people gifted and talented and certainly our Scottish pupils have exceptional abilities in a whole range of areas, however in keeping with our inclusive approach to education in Scotland we prefer to call our pupils "more able". In many ways, what we call them doesn't matter, what is important is that their abilities are recognised, challenged and celebrated.
SNAP is working across the UK with schools, cluster schools and Education Authorities. We also run workshops for young people, give keynote addresses and advice to parents.
Whatever your reason for visiting our website, we hope you will find information that is useful to you.
Thinking Outside the Box: we're able pupils too
The SNAP annual conference was held on Wednesday 3 June 2009.
Pod casts of keynote talks can be found here - Elisabeth Ritchie HMIE and Matt Dickenson and Ian Warwick, London Gifted and Talented.
Update
We will be continuing to update our web site over the coming months. If you are a member you will be given access to our new moodle site where SNAP publications and other information is housed. You will also be able to post questions on our notice board, and the forum allow you to share ideas and concerns with all SNAP members.CPD Opportunities 2009-2010
Title: Meeting the needs of able pupils in primary 1-3
When? Wednesday 28 October 2009
Who is it for? Teachers of Primary 1-3
Where? 9.30am-3.30pm St Andrew's Building, University of Glasgow
Description: This course will consider how we meet the needs of able pupils in primary 1-3. Using a story as a starting point and linking to Curriculum for Excellence, we will explore how we can develop activities that will not only challenge able pupils but all pupils in your class.
Cost: SNAP members: £110. Non-SNAP members: £120 (includes, coffee, lunch and all materials)
To book a place, email SNAP at snap@educ.gla.ac.uk or call 0141 330 3071
Title: Getting ready for Christmas
When? Friday 20 November 2009
Who is it for? All Nursery teachers and Nursery Nurses
Where? 9.30am -3.30pm St Andrew's Building, University of Glasgow
Description: This course will consider how we can use an event such as Christmas to build in challenge and excitement to activities for able young learners in the Nursery.
Cost: SNAP members: £110. Non-SNAP members: £120. (includes coffee, lunch and all materials)
To book a place, email SNAP at snap@educ.gla.ac.uk or call 0141 330 3071
Title: Tried and tested ways of challenging able pupils
When? Wednesday 27 January 2010
Who is it for? All teachers of primary 4-7
Where? 9.30am-3.30pm St Andrew's Building, University of Glasgow
Description: Using the experiences and outcomes from Curriculum for Excellence as a starting point, this course will explore tried and tested ways of adding challenge to the curriculum for able pupils in the upper primary.
Cost: SNAP members: £110. Non-SNAP members: £120. (includes coffee, lunch and all materials)
To book a place, email SNAP at snap@educ.gla.ac.uk or call 0141 330 3071
Title: Managing Transition for Able Pupils
When? Wednesday 17 February 2010
Who is it for? All teachers of P7 and S1, Guidance staff and Pupil Support staff
Where? 9.30am-3.30pm, St Andrew's Building, University of Glasgow
Description: This course will consider how to best manage transition for able pupils. It will explore the kind of information gathering that would be useful and look at how this information can be disseminated and used as lessons are planned.
Cost: SNAP members: £110. Non-SNAP members: £120. (includes coffee, lunch, all materials)
To book a place, email SNAP at snap@educ.gla.ac.uk or call 0141 330 3071.
Joining SNAP!
Individuals, schools and Education Authorities can become members of SNAP for £10.
Being a member of SNAP means you have access to current information relating to gifted education. Schools and Authorities that join will be offered the opportunity to send pupils to a number of pupil events being hosted during 2009-2010. Staff also can attend events at a discounted rate.
For further information contact:
SNAP, University of Glasgow, St Andrew's Building, 11 Eldon Street, Glasgow, G3 6NH
Cheques should be made payable to the University of Glasgow
In-service
SNAP works with schools and local education authorities to be able to offer a range of bespoke in-service days, twilight sessions or weekends for schools, cluster groups and local authority staff.
We run courses for:
- Teachers
- Head Teachers
- Parents
- Pupils
- Local Authority Staff
- Probationer Teachers
- Classroom assistants
To discuss your specific requirements or book a course, contact snap@educ.gla.ac.uk or telephone 0141 330 3071.
SNAP Blog
We are delighted to announce our new SNAP blog which we have set up to provide a space for communication between teachers, pupils, parents and anyone interested in supporting able learners.
We encourage you to become a follower of the blog by clicking on the link "follow this blog" . Add your comments and suggestions to help us build a blog that you like. We hope you will enjoy it!
New publications
"This book is essential reading for all those involved in Early Years. It proves that good provision for Gifted and Talented is good provision for all children"
Johanna M Raffan, Founder Director, NACE
This book will help you to provide for able young learners in your setting. This book can be bought direct from the publisher, to do so please click SAGE Margaret is also available to work with your early years setting helping to support staff and children as they learn together. For further details of CPD and in-service opportunities contact snap@educ.gla.ac.uk
Gifted and Talented in the Early Years
Practical Activities for Children aged 3 to 5
Margaret Sutherland - Paul Chapman (2005)
I felt reassured by the way practitioners are encouraged to consider children's development holistically. The activities given to challenge children identified as talented or gifted are practical and easily implemented - Nursery World.
In 100 clear and concise pages, Margaret Sutherland offers eminently practical hints and suggestions covering observation and identification and the sort of activities and resources that build confidence and skill in the very youngest learners - Michael Duffy, The Times Educational Supplement.
This book would be a useful addition to any early years bookshelf or staff room to assist with the planning an inspirational learning journey - National Association of Gifted Children Newsletter.
This book is very readable, full of practical advice, and a must for all those involved in Early Years, including parents - Johanna M Raffan, Director of NACE, National Associaton for Able Children.
This book can be bought direct from the publisher, to do so please click here.
Teaching Gifted and Talented Pupils in the Primary School
A Practical Guide
Chris Smith - Paul Chapman (2005)
The suggestions here, many of them photocopiable, are clearly tried and tested. All primary teachers will find them helpful - Michael Duffy, The Times Educational Supplement.
A very useful aid to any staff room bookshelf. Easy to read, use and understand- National Association of Gifted Children Newsletter.
A must read for all teachers. This book not only sets out very clearly the needs of Able Gifted and Talented pupils, but also helps teachers reappraise their classroom practice and the role of the learner - Johanna M Raffan, Director of NACE, National Association for Able Children.
This book can be bought direct from the publisher, to do so please click here.
SNAP Moon Landings
Dr Martin Hendry, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow has been hosting a series of Science Fairs in Associate Tutor Authorities across Scotland. Primary pupils have been finding out about The Moon Hoax and Extra Terrestrials.
Curriculum for Excellence: Making it Work for Able Pupils
Curriculum for Excellence: Making it Work for Able Pupils
Wednesday 13 June 2007
Our keynote speaker in 2007 was Dr Carrie Winstanley who spoke about the ingredients of challenge. Pace and challenge of learning are important issues for schools and Carrie's talk is well worth listening to. The conference explored how we can add challenge to the curriculum that will benefit all and meet the needs of our able pupils.