I am gifted, and one of my degrees is in teaching, and I've taught in a school for gifted children. Having the advanced students be "junior teachers" to the struggling students benefits both groups. It stimulates deep understanding for the gifted student, which is not catered for in the "recipe" provided.

Fact is that students will respect information provided by their peers above that provided by teachers. This is well known. See Vygotsky for example.