Schools Minister Nick Gibb yesterday announced a new national award scheme to recognise the top achievers and those showing potential in English secondary schools.

He said that the “Dux” (Latin for leader or champion) would help raise aspirations of all pupils at a school, particularly those from a less affluent background, and encourage them to go to university. Teachers will select a Year 9 pupil (aged 14) as their Dux; they will then be rewarded with a visit to one of the Russell Group universities.

The National Association for Gifted Children’s Chief Executive, Denise Yates, commented
‘NAGC welcomes this new Dux award as a stepping stone towards a national strategy for supporting children with high learning potential. We have waited almost two years for this Government to announce a cohesive, national approach and any step forward must be seen as positive.’

John Stevenage, Chief Executive at British Mensa, also said
‘We welcome this scheme which recognises that gifted young people should be encouraged to succeed and given every chance to achieve their potential. I hope that the Government will continue in this vein and launch further projects with the aim of supporting gifted and talented pupils.’

Further information - The Department for Education

John Stevenage and Denise Yates are both members of the GT Voice Board. GT Voice is a national network of organisations, educators and individuals united in their support for and nurture of able, gifted and talented children and young people.

Find out more – GT Voice