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Chief: Schools list ‘damages’ pupils
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| Councillor Chris Wells, Kent's education chief |
KENT'S education chief has criticised a Government scheme which named and shamed six so-called "poor" schools in Dartford and Gravesham.
Kent County Council cabinet member for children, families and education Councillor Chris Wells believes naming the schools was a mistake.
The National Challenge wants every secondary school in England to have at least 30 per cent of its pupils achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, by 2011.
Those which fail to raise standards will be shut down and replaced by new schools run by a nearby successful school, along with a university or business.
It was launched by Secretary of State for Schools Ed Balls on June 10.
He said: "I don't want to see excuses about poor performance. I want to see clear plans to raise standards."
The scheme named the 638 schools in England which fell below last year's 30-per-cent target.
This included Axton Chase, Swan Valley, Leigh Technology Academy and Wilmington Enterprise College in Dartford.
It also included Thamesview and Northfleet Technology College in Gravesham.
In a letter to Mr Balls, Cllr Wells wrote: "I wonder if you truly understand the damage you are doing to the morale of teachers, headteachers and even pupils."
Cllr Wells also defended the schools, stating: "The schools in Kent you so boldly announced as struggling at floor level are in
actual fact thriving and constantly improving."
Leigh Technology Academy, Green Street Green Road, Dartford, is on the list despite being in the top 50 in the country for the average academic progress made by pupils between joining and leaving school.
Headteacher Frank Green said: "We are on the list because we had a bad year in maths.
"This was mainly due to a lack of available qualified maths teachers, which is a problem across the country."
Cllr Wells ended his letter to Mr Balls by asking him to change the focus of the campaign to "highlight the excellent work being done in education".
The letter was sent on Monday. Cllr Wells is awaiting a response.
11:01am Friday 27th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Library on 11:15am Fri 27 Jun 08
Everyone knows that the majority of children who attend these schools come from dysfunctional families, so how can we expect them to do well?
When the parents are more interested in going to the pub and watching daytime television than helping their offspring with homework, is it any wonder the figures reflect poor grades?
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
Everyone knows that the majority of children who attend these schools come from dysfunctional families, so how can we expect them to do well?
When the parents are more interested in going to the pub and watching daytime television than helping their offspring with homework, is it any wonder the figures reflect poor grades?
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott Posted by: Lynne on 12:11pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Well done to Chris Wells for standing up for the schools.
I am a school governor and one of my schools has been placed on the "list" despite having higher than avaerage CVA.
Most teachers in schools with large numbers of pupils with special edcuational needs actually work very hard and achieve fantastic results. If a pupil is 2 levels below average on admission to secondary school and by the time they leave they are average that is a huge achievement. A pupil who is well above average on admission is likely to stay above average regardless. Schools such as the selective schools are not going to have a problem with the actual % figures but that is not to say that they will have a high CVA. For many of these pupils school is about improvement but maybe not to the level of 5A*-C but to a point where they can have a successful future rather than end up on life's scrapheap. They will also hopefully have developed the necessary social skills for life.
Whilst some of the problems are due to poor parenting, not all of it is. Some pupils have genuine reasons for not achieveing fantastic academic grades.
Lets not write off these schools most of whom are working really hard in difficult circumstances.
Well done to Chris Wells for standing up for the schools.
I am a school governor and one of my schools has been placed on the "list" despite having higher than avaerage CVA.
Most teachers in schools with large numbers of pupils with special edcuational needs actually work very hard and achieve fantastic results. If a pupil is 2 levels below average on admission to secondary school and by the time they leave they are average that is a huge achievement. A pupil who is well above average on admission is likely to stay above average regardless. Schools such as the selective schools are not going to have a problem with the actual % figures but that is not to say that they will have a high CVA. For many of these pupils school is about improvement but maybe not to the level of 5A*-C but to a point where they can have a successful future rather than end up on life's scrapheap. They will also hopefully have developed the necessary social skills for life.
Whilst some of the problems are due to poor parenting, not all of it is. Some pupils have genuine reasons for not achieveing fantastic academic grades.
Lets not write off these schools most of whom are working really hard in difficult circumstances.
Posted by: regis, erith on 1:51pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Thanks lynne for a sensible comment on the reality of schools regardless of pupil background.
Thanks lynne for a sensible comment on the reality of schools regardless of pupil background.
Posted by: Gemma on 2:22pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Well done to Chris Wells, please can he write another letter about the so called failing primary schools in the area!
Well done to Chris Wells, please can he write another letter about the so called failing primary schools in the area!
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 11:23am Sat 28 Jun 08
[quote][bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold] wrote:
Everyone knows that the majority of children who attend these schools come from dysfunctional families, so how can we expect them to do well? When the parents are more interested in going to the pub and watching daytime television than helping their offspring with homework, is it any wonder the figures reflect poor grades? [bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold] [/quote] Could not agree more.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
Everyone knows that the majority of children who attend these schools come from dysfunctional families, so how can we expect them to do well? When the parents are more interested in going to the pub and watching daytime television than helping their offspring with homework, is it any wonder the figures reflect poor grades? Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Could not agree more.
Posted by: Jen, Gravesend on 11:21am Mon 30 Jun 08
[quote][bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold] wrote:
Everyone knows that the majority of children who attend these schools come from dysfunctional families, so how can we expect them to do well? When the parents are more interested in going to the pub and watching daytime television than helping their offspring with homework, is it any wonder the figures reflect poor grades? [bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold] [/quote] This is such a close-minded comment.
I came from one of the schools mentioned, and i can assure you that both my parents have jobs and rarely visit the pub.
Your talking to the small minority of people here.
Also, i left my school with 8 B's and above so yeah =]
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
Everyone knows that the majority of children who attend these schools come from dysfunctional families, so how can we expect them to do well? When the parents are more interested in going to the pub and watching daytime television than helping their offspring with homework, is it any wonder the figures reflect poor grades? Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
This is such a close-minded comment.
I came from one of the schools mentioned, and i can assure you that both my parents have jobs and rarely visit the pub.
Your talking to the small minority of people here.
Also, i left my school with 8 B's and above so yeah =]
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