The little fella (3rd grade) keeps having his free time removed because he doesn't give enough attention to the work he is given. He says he is bored, and I am sure the stuff he is given is below his capabilities. If he doesn't do the easy stuff the teachers will never be convinced or motivated to give him harder, more interesting and challenging, work.

Advice anyone?

Well, some teachers will agree to a trial of more advanced work (not holding out hope for more interesting) if asked, at least here in the U.S.

It sometimes helps to bring in "worksheet" type material aimed at older children that your child has done at home.

Sometimes homeschooling is the way to go, particularly if your child isn't relativly even in his gifts.

My DS11 had similar reports in 2nd grade. You can try the "Well maybe he has a disability, I request in writing that you test him to see." route. Not sure what the laws regarding disabilities are in the U.K.

Whatever else, keep facilitation his further explorations at home, you aren't creating a problem, you are keeping him sane. I was quite confused about this at the time.

Best Wishes,
Trinty

Has he been tested? Do they recognize his abilities at all, or no?

If not, then you probably have to advocate with the teacher. This situation is a hard one for advocacy because many/most teachers do not realize that gifted kids often do worse on material that's too easy. You might use the "Please try giving him this more difficult thing...just try it and see how it goes." Sometimes seeing is believing.

Also talk to him about doing his best, even when it's easy work. Some kids are mature enough to handle that idea, some aren't. (Mine wasn't!) But it might help, especially if you explain that you're going to advocate for him, but that getting him more challenging work will be more likely to happen if he does well on the easy stuff. Plus the conversation tells the kid that a) he has to respect the teacher, but b) you're not just going to accept what's happening to your child without standing up for him. Those are two important lessons for him!