* Partners in the pound;20m-a-year academy include the Centre for Talented Youth, at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US; Oxford Brookes, Durham and York universities and the London School of Economics

* A talent hunt was launched last week for 100 11 to 16-year-olds for the first residential summer school this July

* University lecturers and specialists will offer extra tuition in all national curriculum subjects

* Subjects not usually taught at schools - such as classics, and biotechnology - will also be on offer

* Around 1,000 youngsters a year are expected to benefit from weekend and summer schools

* The target group is the most able 5 per cent, with special classes for the top 1 per cent

* Middle-class parents face bills of hundreds of pounds, but courses will be free to those who can’t afford them.

* Academy students will receive graduation certificates and follow-up support online and from mentors

* For details see www.warwick.ac.ukgifted or ring 024 7657 4212

Karen Thornton