A LEADING member of a scheme identifying gifted and talented children attending schools in and around Bridgwater has hailed the scheme a huge success.

The needs of aspiring Einsteins and knee-high Newtons from district schools are being provided for, thanks to The Bridgwater Excellence Cluster.

The gifted and talented co-ordinator for the cluster told the Mercury this week that she believes, since the project's introduction in 2005, not only bright children but town schools are benefiting greatly.

"The focus on the more able has been of real benefit in raising awareness of the needs of this group of students, but has also had the positive consequence of schools planning for challenge for all children," said Rita Peasland.

Gifted and talented students from eight primary and five secondary schools within the cluster are identified according to teacher recommendation and results from assessments.

The schools are encouraged and supported to plan for challenge in the classroom and to give opportunities to suit the strengths of the students, such as early GCSE entry or sitting AS levels in year 11.

The cluster schools also organise enrichment activities when students from the schools can work together.

This year students have benefited from working with other pupils of similar abilities on such projects as foreign language taster days, science days, dance and drama, Japanese, maths and global warming.

* You can read the Mercury's special spotlight feature on this project in Tuesday's edition.