A GROUP of youngsters have excelled on a special teaching programme.

Pupils in the three top sets of Years Seven, Eight and Nine at Mount St Joseph's School have been taking part in lessons for 'gifted children' which are aimed at stretching their minds and providing them with an opportunity to study in a quiet environment.

The project, which is in its second year, included a summer school for 33 outstanding youngsters from the Greenland Road school's feeder primary schools and from the first year of the senior school.

Staff, including gifted pupil co-ordinator Paul Gillespie, have been thrilled with the success of the summer school classes which have helped to shape an outstanding set of Year Seven pupils this term.

Many of the children who gave up their summer holidays to study have already leapt up a set since September and their diligence has inspired competition among the lower sets of pupils who are determined to join the special classes.

Up to 80 youngsters can be taught at St Gabriel's Convent in Willows Lane, Daubhill, which has been equipped with an Information Technology suite and spacious classrooms.

The pupils, who are taught in groups of 25, are taken by bus to the convent, which was part of the original Mount St Joseph's School and returned to the senior school for the rest of their lessons.

Only English, Humanities and Information Technology are taught there at the moment, but it is hoped the curriculum can be broadened and that the convent will eventually be transformed into the St Gabriel's Centre for Gifted Children with all kinds of facilities on offer.

Year Seven pupil Vicky Kilroy, aged 11, was happy to give up her summer break after leaving Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School and join the special classes.

She has now risen from set three to set two after doing so well in the first few months of senior school and loves the time spent studying at the convent.

Vicky, who would like to become a nurse or a teacher when she leaves school, said: "I was really looking forward to the summer school and I think it has helped me.

"I like all my classes, but coming here is really good because I can concentrate easily as it's so quiet."

Mr Gillespie, who is also head of Year Eight and a History teacher, said: "We've seen a real difference in the pupils who have been coming for classes here.

"They seem to love having the chance to study away from the main school.

"We do not worry about the question of elitism as the children in lower sets always have the chance to move up if they work hard.

"These gifted children are just as much 'special needs' pupils as children at the other end of the spectrum.

"This is something that the Government is really pushing at the moment and we are lucky as a school to have this extra space for teaching and to develop." A GROUP of youngsters have excelled on a special teaching programme.

Pupils in the three top sets of Years Seven, Eight and Nine at Mount St Joseph's School have been taking part in lessons for 'gifted children' which are aimed at stretching their minds and providing them with an opportunity to study in a quiet environment.

The project, which is in its second year, included a summer school for 33 outstanding youngsters from the Greenland Road school's feeder primary schools and from the first year of the senior school.

Staff, including gifted pupil co-ordinator Paul Gillespie, have been thrilled with the success of the summer school classes which have helped to shape an outstanding set of Year Seven pupils this term.

Many of the children who gave up their summer holidays to study have already leapt up a set since September and their diligence has inspired competition among the lower sets of pupils who are determined to join the special classes.

Up to 80 youngsters can be taught at St Gabriel's Convent in Willows Lane, Daubhill, which has been equipped with an Information Technology suite and spacious classrooms.

The pupils, who are taught in groups of 25, are taken by bus to the convent, which was part of the original Mount St Joseph's School and returned to the senior school for the rest of their lessons.

Only English, Humanities and Information Technology are taught there at the moment, but it is hoped the curriculum can be broadened and that the convent will eventually be transformed into the St Gabriel's Centre for Gifted Children with all kinds of facilities on offer.

Year Seven pupil Vicky Kilroy, aged 11, was happy to give up her summer break after leaving Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School and join the special classes.

She has now risen from set three to set two after doing so well in the first few months of senior school and loves the time spent studying at the convent. Vicky, who would like to become a nurse or a teacher when she leaves school, said: "I was really looking forward to the summer school and I think it has helped me.

"I like all my classes, but coming here is really good because I can concentrate easily as it's so quiet."

Mr Gillespie, who is also head of Year Eight and a History teacher, said: "We've seen a real difference in the pupils who have been coming for classes here.

"They seem to love having the chance to study away from the main school. We do not worry about elitism as the children in lower sets always have the chance to move up if they work hard."