You don't need to apply a selection criterion to pick out talented children. Just give a choice between football or an evening tracking bats. The minority with an interest in biology will choose the bats.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Four years old is too early an age for us to identify children who will prove to be among the most motivated able adults in later years. Indeed, as we discovered from the days of the 11 plus examination, some abilities don't flower until much later, including science and mathematics. As abilities develop in an educational environment that gives the maximum opportunity for growth in intellectual and creative skills we can expect teachers and parents to identify abilities in children and for a large percentage of children to emerge in at least one area of high ability as the years go by. There should be a red flag warning against choosing an artificial educational elite at an early age when children should be allowed to be children.

Dr Clifford Denton, Norwich, England

If you're bright we'll inflict EXTRA lessons - school is for averages - excellence requires detention.

THis is a clear indication schools are "not fit for purpose". If "Educo" means to "lead out" it appears Government schools are to "repress" and "suppress" excellence in favour of achieving norms

TomTom, Leeds, England

Leave the poor sprogs alone! Clever kids get picked on enough at school as it ain't cool to be brainy. They hardly need extra classes, and singling them out will just ruin their social lives.

Anna, Soton,

It's quite instructive to see the input from academia that's quoted on this subject, and on the wider disaster that is new labour's education policy.
For example : the idea that presenting intelligent kids with opportunities to maximise their potential can't be considered because it might upset the others is truly pathetic coming from a lecturer in eduction. Wait until they get into the employment world....although how long can it be before NuLab decides hiring on the basis of ability is unfair too.
Don't get me started.....

Mike T, Haslemere, UK

I pity the poor heads and teachers when having to deal with the pushy middle class parents who will be manoeuvring to have their offspring labelled as gifted... And if private schools are anything to go by, you can be assured that certain parents will always be able to swing it their way.

David, Only Mildly Pushy Middle Class Parent , Cambridge,

It was admittedly a long time ago, but my education came to a screeching halt when I went up to Cambridge and attended tutorials given by people who had no grounding in how to teach effectively and no incentive to get any.

Shouldn't addressing this be a higher priority than prepping children until they're heartily sick of being branded "talented"?

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

I learnt all about the Kings an Queens of England, wnen playing fag-cards as a six year old: the best eduacation for children, is when they do not realise they are being educated.

R Lines, ilminster, Somerset

So selection at 11+ is bad but selection at age 4+ will be fine! What warped thinking, Guess which families will have the time to drive the glamour children to the nearst University? Some of us live over 40 miles from one!

DAVID VINTER, Louth, Lincs,, UK.

This initiative is totally at odds with established New Labour policies. It is almost certain that potential candidates will have to come from a deprived or disadvantaged background and be aflicted with some form of behavioural disorder. Gifted or talented children from stable caring families must be disqualified for being elitist or priveleged - this is the Labour way!

peterj, Norwich, Norfolk

This is a brilliant idea. One should however take care that intelligent individuals classed with under achieving peer groups within the state educated sector, are not ignored in favour of the more easily identified, though no more intelligent children, at private schools throughout the UK.

Gerry, Kassel, Germany

Instead of all thus tinkering at both ends of the educational spectrum, why don't the government stop messing about and just bring back selection and grammar schools in all areas.

keith, london, uk