Tomorrow's Achievers - Helping the gifted child
In 1999 the Gabbitas, Truman & Thring Educational Trust launched Tomorrow’s Achievers to mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation of Gabbitas. This initiative makes a vital contribution to the provision of suitable stimulus and encouragement for children in the top 2% of the ability range, to help them achieve their full potential.
Gifted children should be among the outstanding entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists and artistic performers of the 21st century. Tragically, many are at risk of becoming society's misfits. The damage often starts at school, where their abilities are not always obvious. Bored and frustrated, many gifted children "switch off", appear lazy or become disruptive. Often bullied by classmates, many are isolated, while others deliberately underachieve in order not to be different. Those from socially depressed areas are even more likely to go unrecognised and, through lack of other challenging outlets, all too often drift into crime.
Tomorrow’s Achievers is a programme of day masterclasses and residential courses specifically designed to meet the needs of exceptionally able children. Research shows that specialist masterclasses offer real benefits. Children gain intellectually from exposure to new and challenging projects. They meet kindred spirits and make friends. They can be themselves without feeling cleverness is a curse. Their zest for learning is rekindled as they rediscover the excitement and purpose of wanting to achieve. Their self-esteem is boosted and relationships with families, classmates and teachers improve.
Tomorrow’s Achievers masterclasses are not about extra subject teaching or ‘fast-tracking’, but about curriculum enrichment and extension. What makes them uniquely different is their focus on stretching the intellect, encouraging the use of lateral thinking and enabling youngsters to use their special talents in ways that they find exciting and interesting. They offer an introduction to a wealth of different themes – science, technology, maths, literature, philosophy, culture – in ways that involve and challenge the most able children.
Through the generosity of our donors we have built up an extensive programme of day and residential courses for children aged 5–16 in London, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Suffolk, Kent and Essex. In some cases these are held in schools which generously donate the use of their facilities, but we have also run special events with major cultural venues including the Science Museum, the Museum of London, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Somerset House, the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith and Think Tank in Birmingham.
Tomorrow’s Achievers offers help to financially needy families through a grant-giving scheme, to enable children whose parents could not otherwise afford the fees. Grants are available for places on any of our approved courses. Details can be found in our course portfolio and on our website at www.masterclasses.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
Miss P Morse
Tomorrow’s Achievers
Gabbitas, Truman and Thring Educational Trust
Norfolk House
30 Charles II Street
London
SW1Y 4AE
Tel: 020 7734 0161
Fax: 020 7437 1764
Email: Patricia Morse
