ABSTRACT
Another starting point in the discussion of ability and attainment is to ask children for their views. Over a two-years period, mathematically able Year 9 children attending a series of Royal Institution Mathematics Master Classes held at the University of Sunderland were given a questionnaire to complete. Additional Questionnaires were given to pupils in schools in which case studies of able children were being undertaken (REACH Project, University of Sunderland). A total of 83 completed questionnaires revealed some fascinating points of view. Two questions in the survey are discussed below. Pupils' responses are very interesting and reveal how insightful they are when reflecting on their own abilities. The structure of abilities put forward at the end of Chapter 1 provides a useful basis for interpreting pupils' comments.
