| Topic: | I don't belieeeeeeve it! | |
| Posted by: | Vanessa Smith | |
| Date/Time: | 07/08/14 16:15:00 |
| Well, actually I do. 'Free Schools' accused of cherry-picking. Report in today's paper that the government's, and the late but not lamented Secretary of State for Education's obsession with 'free schools' has been shown to be what a lot of people thought they would. Namely 'socially selective', only taking the kids of pushy middle class parents, never mind they may be situated in quite deprived areas. A study by London University's Institute of Education discovered that the schools were established as intended in disadvantaged areas, but according to their own admissions, only 17.5% of secondary pupils were entitled to free school meals and 13.5% of primary students. This compared to averages of 22% and 18% in their local neighbourhoods. Children joining free schools also tend to have higher prior attainment levels. The report concludes "It appears that, so far, the places in reception are being filled by children who are somewhat less disadvantaged and more advanced in their development that the average". |