This paper tells how a professional dilemma about the appropriateness of an approach to gifted and talented education, which was perceived as elitist, was resolved by developing an enrichment and extension programme which was open to all pupils. An exploration of the literature relating to enrichment for gifted and talented pupils revealed support for this approach, although it runs counter to the currently accepted paradigm for gifted education. Impact has been difficult to assess quantitatively but questionnaire responses show that the participating schools saw the project as inclusive, promoting enjoyment of school, raising pupils' self-esteem, and effective in countering disadvantage.
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