Scottish Network for Able Pupils SNAP

SNAP offers a network of support to schools and teachers through the sharing of ideas and practice. SNAP offers advice to schools and teachers on how to provide appropriate challenge for their most able children and undertakes research and dissemination of findings to the educational community in Scotland and further afield.

If you had to conjure up a vision of what someone involved in the running of the Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP) would be like, it probably wouldn't be Margaret Sutherland. She's funny, she's bubbly and - for this interview - she's dressed in casual trousers and a jumper. 'Normally it's jeans' she admits 'but I had a meeting earlier on where I thought slightly less casual might be best.'

Margaret is passionate about education. She is a former primary school teacher who first became interested in the varying needs of pupils when kids from a local children's home joined her class. SNAP was established in 1995 (by the, then Scottish Office), following publication of an HMIE report, The Education of Able Pupils P6 - S2. The report expressed concerns that many pupils were not being sufficiently challenged during the transition period from primary to secondary school.

'In response to the compelling demand to improve the quality of support for pupils with learning difficulties, substantial investment was made in the 1980s in resources and teaching materials, staff development and in-service training to improve the effectiveness of provision for such pupils. Similar attention should now be given to meeting the needs of able pupils.'

The Education of Able Pupils P6-S2 (HMIE, 1993)

'Able Pupils': are we talking about maths' geniuses getting into university at age 11, and little children playing classical music on tiny violins?

'Not exclusively!' insists Margaret. 'While some children may achieve these things we're talking about challenging the abilities of all!' Although she can't resist telling the story of the eight-year-old boy who readily agreed to address a SNAP annual conference despite the fact that there were going to be 200 teachers and other educationists in the audience.

At its most basic level, SNAP's aim is to generate interest in and raise awareness of, the needs of Able Pupils.

'Often they give up and do less well in school than would be expected. There are a great number of able kids who are under-achievers.

Identifying able pupils is very important. Some may be terrible at maths but gifted in another subject. You also have the 'the things that I'm good at aren't valued in my school' situation.'

Margaret Sutherland, SNAP.

The aim of the network is to promote good teaching and learning for able pupils. We believe this happens through an inclusive approach to education.

The primary concern of SNAP, when it was first set up, was to establish a network to share good practice. It also hosts conferences, carries out research, disseminates information and provides training and teaching materials. The word 'share' is key to what SNAP does and its ethos is centred on real learning, rather than the delivery of strategies.

'SNAP is about empowering others to take this work forward but if the ground is not fertile, then the in-service training we offer won't take root. So when a school contacts us inquiring about CPD, we offer support, advice and encouragement to develop their own policies and approaches.'

Margaret Sutherland, SNAP.

Margaret admits that 'terminology is an issue' when deciding what to call able pupils. Elsewhere, they're often identified as 'gifted and talented' and while Margaret concedes that all pupils are able in some way or other, SNAP is not too comfortable with the 'more able' tag, either which is why they settled on 'able'.

Almost a decade after its founding, SNAP is more than fulfilling its objectives. It now has hundreds of members who pay a minimal charge in return for quarterly newsletters and information about courses, conferences and developments.

An increasing number of local authorities are also choosing to affiliate to SNAP at a cost of £700 a year. Under the scheme each affiliated authority may identify up to five Associate Tutors who undertake professional training and act as a focus at local level for staff development, policy and provision. We help the authority build its own expertise base.

With extra funding from the Scottish Executive, SNAP launched a website in 2003 www.ablepupils.com which is neither stuffy nor solemn. It is aimed at teachers, parents and pupils and includes a Quick Questions feature that demonstrates SNAP's refreshing attitude to 'ableness'.

How could living room furniture be improved to provide exercise while watching TV?
If raisins are dried grapes, what would you call a dried grapefruit?
Create a fifth season. What would it be like?

In keeping with its principles, SNAP's network and activities have increased while its staff base has remained the same. There are still only three part-timers: Chris Smith, Margaret Sutherland and administrator, Rae Galbraith, all of whom work in the Faculty of Education at Glasgow University where the project is based. Glasgow University allocates them time to carry out SNAP work and the Scottish Executive provides some 'very helpful' funding. SNAP's annual conferences also raise money for the project's activities.

The 2004 conference was held on June 16 when the keynote speaker was Professor Diane Montgomery, Emeritus Professor of Education at Middlesex University, London.

'In Scotland, the education of able learners has been placed firmly within an inclusive agenda. The (HMI report) adopted a broad definition of ability, and identified an inclusive approach as one in which an appropriately challenging educational experience could be offered to all.'

Chris Smith, SNAP.

Contact details:

SNAP
Room 556
St Andrew's Building
University of Glasgow
11 Eldon Street
Glasgow
G3 6NH

Telephone: 0141 330 3071
E-mail: snap@educ.gla.ac.uk