Schools may be out for summer, but for some talented York youngsters term did not end with the last bell on Friday. Education reporter HAYDN LEWIS spoke to students who have enrolled on summer schools and their parents who are keen for them to carry on their learning in the summer break.

THE National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) is currently running a summer school at York University for gifted youngsters aged between 11 and 19 for two weeks until August 14.

It requires the youngsters to be away from home for a fortnight and furthers their academic education or gives them a chance to get a taster of subjects like archaeology not taught in school.

Matthew Manton, 13, is a pupil at Burnholme Community College, and will be studying archaeology at the NAGTY Summer School at the University of York.

He heard about the Summer School from Sue Williamson, a teacher at Burnholme.

Matthew, who lives in Heworth, York, said: "She gave me the idea of going on it and so I sent off and was accepted. I'm really excited about it. I'm not sure what to expect because I have never been on anything like this before.

"My first choice was physics, but I didn't get into that because, at the time I applied, I don't think I was old enough. My second choice was archaeology because I'm interested in how old buildings are constructed, it's something I have been interested in for a long time but this is the first time I have had the chance to do any proper archaeology.

"I'm not worried about being away from home for a fortnight. I have read accounts in the National Academy magazine about what the summer schools are like and it just seemed the place to be."

His mother Mrs Deborah Manton said: "I'm really excited about this great opportunity he's been given. I'm sure he will find it very rewarding."

Iain Lynn, 14, of Poppleton, is a pupil at Manor CE School, and will be studying mathematics at the Summer School.

"I had a look on the Internet and noticed that there was one on maths in York. I have always been keen on maths even when I was at primary school where everybody else used to hate it.

"I have read in the National Academy leaflets that they have found new ways of looking at things in maths and I'm looking forward to finding out about them. I'm also looking forward to working with new people.

"I notice that one of things that they are laying on for students at the Summer School is a bus tour around York but I don't think I'll be too interested in that!"

His mother, Sue, reckons Iain gets his love of maths from her, as she works in a bank. She admits that when she was a teenager, she probably wouldn't have given up two weeks of her summer holidays to go back to school.

"But attitudes have changed. I think it's just a fantastic opportunity. It will be really good for Iain to meet people who are as keen on maths as he is," she said.

City of York Council is running a summer school at Burnholme Community College.

The scheme complements the national programme run by NAGTY but is not residential.

There is no cost to parents apart from providing packed lunches and there are qualified teachers in charge.

Last year's scheme, held at Archbishop Holgate's School, was voted a huge success by pupils, tutors and parents - with students commenting on the impact on their problem- solving and team-working skills and the speed with which they made new friends.

This summer, 135 11 and 12 year olds, all nominated by their York primary and secondary schools, are working in six workshops - on applied maths, media and film making, art, philosophy and ethics, drama and business enterprise - the specialism of the host college.

Tom Rychlik, 11, who goes to Our Lady's RC Primary and is doing the maths workshop, said: "It's been really good fun and most people seem to be enjoying it.

"The exercises we have been doing weren't too hard but the really hard stuff starts later in the week."

Students are also taking part in free time activities ranging from drumming and maths' challenges to mass Frisbee.

The week will end with a trade fair for parents and guests. Workshops are planned to link into this year's G8 focus on ending poverty - with the intention of broadening students' understanding of world issues.

Tricia Ellison, senior education advisor at City of York Council, said: "We aim to bring as many of the city's able young people together as we can - to build their confidence and give them the chance to work in depth on an aspect of learning that they will find challenging and fun.

"We want to raise aspirations for the future - as a society we shall need all the talent we can mobilise."

Updated: 10:29 Wednesday, July 27, 2005