SO, we should no longer call clever children "gifted" because it is elitist. Instead, we must refer to them as "very able."

Wirral Council director of education Howard Cooper has come up with this latest brilliant instruction to his staff. But "gifted" sounds what it is, a natural gift from God.

If we have "very able" children, it allows for "a bit less able", "not very able" and "downright unable". The only consolation is that it won't only apply to children.