The Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP)
The Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP) was established in 1993 following the publication of the Education of Able Pupils P6-S2 report (HMI). SNAP’s key aims are to raise awareness about these pupils and to work with teachers and schools in disseminating teaching and learning developments within the research field.
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 "highly able". In many ways, what we call them does not matter, what is important is that their abilities are recognised, challenged and celebrated.
SNAP are working across the UK and internationally with teachers, schools, Education Authorities, other universities, research partners, policy makers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the European Council for High Ability (ECHA http://www.echa.info/), the International Research Association for Talent Development and Excellence (IRATDE: http://iratde.org/) and the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC http://www.world-gifted.org/).
SNAP has offered support and advice to the Scottish Education system in three main areas: research, staff development and national and international conferences. Working in the field of both Special Educational Needs/Additional Support Needs and Gifted and Talented Education, SNAP have established an international reputation for high quality professional development workshops and conferences for practitioners and excellence in research. Dr Margaret Sutherland (Director of SNAP) was recently nominated for the Legacy Book Awards that honours outstanding books published in the United States that have long term potential for positively influencing the lives of gifted individuals and contribute to the understanding, well-being, education and success of gifted and talented students.
Whatever your reason for visiting our website, we hope you will find information that is useful to you.
SNAP on iTunes U
We now have a number of free files available to download on iTunes U. Just click the button to access the resources, we would like to know your feedback.
Visiting Professor from USA
SNAP were delighted to welcome Prof. Tracy Cross, the Jody and Layton Smith Professor of Psychology and Gifted Education and Executive Director, Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary to the University of Glasgow. Tracy has published more than 150 articles, book chapters, and columns; made more than 200 presentations at conferences; and published four books. He received the Distinguished Service Award from The Association for the Gifted (TAG) and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the Early Leader and Early Scholar Awards from National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), and in 2009 was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the MENSA Education and Research Foundation. In 2004, he was named the Outstanding Researcher for Ball State University. Tracy is on the Board and Executive Committee of NAGC and is currently the NAGC president-elect. Tracy is looking forward to building collaborative reserach relationships between SNAP and the centre in Williamsburg.
SNAP in the USA
Margaret Sutherland participated in the 25th anniversary celebrations of The Centre for Gifted Education (CFGE) based in the College of William and Mary, Virginia, USA. The CFGE is a research and development center providing services to educators, policy makers, graduate students, researchers, and parents in support of the needs of gifted and talented individuals. Margaret took part in the annual National Curriculum Network Conference. The conference offered sessions on curriculum, instruction, and assessment for high-ability learners. The focus audience included administrators, gifted coordinators and teachers, as well as other professionals in gifted education.
Margaret said “it was a privilege to be part of the celebrations. The curriculum work of the centre is well known internationally and it was an honour to work with staff from the centre and with teachers from across the USA. We hope it will be the start of greater collaboration between SNAP and Dr. Tracy L. Cross, Executive Director of the Centre for Gifted Education.”
The School of Education
Talent Support Project
In 2011 the European Union, under the Hungarian Presidency, launched the Talent Support Project aiming at finding, training and supporting talented young people of Europe specifically to secure the increasing needs for future science and innovation.
NEW! SNAP Associate Schools
Become a SNAP Associate School and receive discounted rates on CPD and our Annual Event for Teachers plus the fantastic opportunity to take part in our pupil programme Exploring the Dark Side of the Universe.
The Journey to Excellence
The Journey to Excellence website provides examples of excellence in Scottish education and other children's services
Highly Able Children in the Early Years
This report highlights some of the issues facing early years educators in providing for highly able children. It explores questions relating to identification, acceleration and enrichment and provides examples from good practice from eight nurseries across Scotland.
Non-Statutory Guidelines
SNAP are pleased to announce the guidelines for able pupils in Scotland, called Guidance for Addressing the Needs of Highly Able Pupils, are now available for schools and parents to download.