Primaries 'risk destroying the confidence of most gifted'

A quarter of primary schools are failing to stretch the brightest children and risk destroying their confidence for life, education minister Lord Adonis warned today.

He called the situation "unacceptable" and demanded that headteachers do more to identify gifted pupils with a particular talent for academic work, sport or the arts.

Children with rare abilities must be nurtured from a young age, he added.

His comments follow disappointing primary school Sats results that show fewer pupils reaching the top grades this year. Speaking at Brunel University, Lord Adonis said: "94 per cent of all secondary schools are identifying gifted and talented learners compared with only 76 per cent of primary schools. This is an unacceptable position.

"A child whose confidence or interest in education is destroyed when they are young risks having them destroyed for life. Primary schools especially must ensure they have a proper programme for gifted and talented children."