Evaluation of 'Advanced Learning Centres' for gifted and talented pupils

Abstract

‘Advanced Learning Centres’ (ALCs) are special out-of-school classes for very able pupils, often (but not always) in their final year of primary schooling. The growth and development of these Centres has been coordinated by the Gifted and Talented Unit of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) through the Excellence in Cities (EiC) initiative, in partnership with a national charity, the National Primary Trust (NPT). This evaluation stems from original research, designed to analyse equality of access to the provision, evaluate pupils’ enjoyment, engagement and learning, and examine possible impact of that learning on achievement.