A new programme for talented students in Bermuda will be launched in January after a search for top pupils proved a major success.

The Institute for Talented Students will be affiliated to the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Talented Youth in the US, with the aim of stretching the minds and skills of youngsters in after-school classes.

Executive director Riquette Bonne-Smith said: "The institute will give the students an opportunity to work in an intellectually stimulating environment with other students having similar talents.

"The programme offers courses that permit students to work at a challenging pace, explore subject matter in depth, and develop skills that are often unavailable to students of their ages."

The institute held a talent search this summer in a bid to get the programme off the ground, and a total of 352 students sat the tests.

Out of 101 students who were aged 13 and 14, 14 were selected for the programme, eight of them having passed with distinction. However, some 64 of them have been placed in an enrichment programme.

Of the 251 students aged between ten and 12 who sat the examination, 20 were selected for the institute, and 38 were placed on the enrichment programme.

"All schools in Bermuda were represented," said Ms Bonne-Smith.

"Out of the 136 students accepted into the programme, 62 were from the public schools and 74 were from the private schools. These results are commendable.

"There was a very good balance between public and private students, which was wonderful. The number of students selected from each sector is a true reflection of the students and their abilities. It was not something that we planned for.

"The institute brings them together to help them achieve their full potential."

Executive assistant Richard Webber said the selection process had proved that Bermuda had many talented and bright students. He said: "We knew there were talented students across the Island in both the public and private schools and these tests have proved that. We are very excited about helping these students go even further."

Ms Bonne-Smith has just returned from attending the Conference of the European Council for High Ability in Greece, where she bid to hold the next biennial conference in Bermuda in 2006.

Finland has also put in a bid to host the conference.

She added: "There can be no doubt that the value of such a conference in Bermuda would highlight the need to provide for academic enrichment in the community.

"The international aspect of the conference fits with Bermuda's characteristics as an international business centre in a unique Island setting with a distinct culture."

Two public seminars are being held to inform parents and others about educating talented students. The first will be held at XL Capital on Bermudiana Road from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, December 6. The second will be held at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on December 8, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The institute has been sponsored throughout by XL, but any other businesses interested in supporting the programme should call Ms Bonne-Smith on 296-5676.