Sharing information with parents or carers is an important part of provision for all learners, including the gifted and talented. A good partnership between home and school can provide vital emotional support for gifted and talented youngsters.

Parents and carers see their children in a range of contexts and can pass on knowledge of their successes to the school or college. In turn, schools and colleges should tell parents or carers about the coordination of support for gifted and talented learners and the strategies used to identify them. The school community as a whole should be aware of how the school or college defines gifted and talented.

Presentations or workshops at open evenings can help to raise awareness of different learning styles, contexts for learning, and the range of learning experiences. Parents and carers can be involved -- collectively or individually -- in discussions about appropriate homework, study support and in-school provision. The National Association for Gifted Children has launched an Independent Parental Supporter (IPS) scheme for families of the gifted and talented, to help improve communication between parents and schools.

Parents and carers should always be involved in decisions about appropriate teaching and learning strategies and, where possible, should agree with the approach taken. If agreement cannot be reached, for example about putting a student in a particular group, the school or college must take a decision based on the student's best interest. In this case, parents or carers have the right to approach the local education authority (LEA)/Excellence in Cities (EiC) strand coordinator to check that the school is acting in accordance with LEA and partnership policy.

LEAs can also advise parents and carers on gifted and talented issues.

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