Homeschooling a gifted child

Harnessing the full potential of your child

If you are homeschooling a gifted child, you will understand both the joys and challenges they face on their educational journey.

Homeschooling a gifted child with Wolsey Hall Oxford means they can study at a level suitable for them. Your child will not be forced to study courses aimed at their age group if they have the background knowledge to progress to a more advanced course.

We are proud partners with Potential Plus, a UK charity who provide wonderful support and workshop opportunities to families and gifted children. 

We assess each student when they join us to ensure they are studying at a level suitable for them. Our Tutors and Student Progress Managers will support your gifted child on their homeschooling journey.

Gifted child Eddie is also a cyclist

Eddie is a gifted child and track cyclist with huge potential. He started his education in traditional school and left in his last year of Primary after researching the benefits of homeschooling. 

Meet some of Wolsey Hall’s gifted students

Oliver is a homeschooling gifted student

Oliver in the UK

Naomi is a homeschooling gifted child

Naomi in Romania

Kari is a gifted a level homeschooler

Kari in the UK

Sanjana is studying A levels in India

Sanjana in India

Justin in Romania

Sofia is homeschooling in Italy

Sofia in Italy

homeschooling gifted child playing chess with his dad

A suitable pace

When homeschooling a gifted child, you will be able to encourage their interests. They will have the time to explore more deeply the topics that interest them, researching all those burning questions that teachers don’t always have the time or knowledge to answer in mainstream school. They won’t have to wait for other class members to complete exercises or have class teachers trying to bring them back to the level of the rest of the class.

Support

Many gifted students also have dual or multiple exceptionalities where high learning potential is coupled with a learning difficulty or special need. Wolsey Hall Oxford provides assistance to these students via a range of Support Services.

Potential Plus

Wolsey Hall has Schools Membership of Potential Plus, an independent charity that provides support to children with higher learning potential. Our students worldwide can join Potential Plus for free as an Associate member giving them access to a wide range of support materials, events and an online community. For more information, please see our Potential Plus page.

Friendships

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we understand that children with higher learning potential can also face challenges.

They may feel different and unable to connect with their age-equivalent peers or find that teachers are unable to provide answers to the numerous questions they may have.

Homeschooling a gifted child allows you and your child the freedom to seek out like-minded people.

Group of gifted students

Definitions of gifted children

NAGC (National Association of Gifted Children) definition: 

Students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential. Student with gifts and talents: 

  • Come from all racial, ethnic, and cultural populations, as well as all economic strata. 
  • Require sufficient access to appropriate learning opportunities to realize their potential. 
  • Can have learning and processing disorders that require specialized intervention and accommodation. 
  • Need support and guidance to develop socially and emotionally as well as in their areas of talent.

    Source:
    NAGC website 


MENSA UK states that
 

A gifted child may display some or many of these behaviours:  

  •  An unusual memory 
  • Passing intellectual milestones early 
  • Reading early 
  • Unusual hobbies or interests or an in-depth knowledge of certain subjects 
  • Intolerance of other children 
  • An awareness of world events 
  • Set themselves impossibly high standards 
  • May be a high achiever 
  • Prefers to spend time with adults or in solitary pursuits 
  • Loves to talk 
  • Asks questions all the time 
  • Learns easily 
  • Developed sense of humour 
  • Musical 
  • Likes to be in control 
  • Makes up additional rules for games 
  • Extrovert/introvert 

Source: Mensa website