The failure in education has hurt the poor the most

I mentioned in a previous blog, a report in The Independent showing that a majority of pupils in 700 primary schools cannot read or write.  One in eight primary schools have failed to make progress in teaching the basics of literacy.  Half a million pupils in the past decade left school unable to read.

But the last Labour Government's educational neglect is much deeper than this.  Figures published today show that students 'middle class areas' are ten times more likely to get key GCSE grades than those from poorer areas.  In 1997, more than half of pupils took GSCE's in core subjects (including English and Maths), that figure fell to twenty two percent by 2010.  In Knowsley for example, just 3% of children take get good grades in core GSCE subjects.

The evidence is clear.   The UK has slipped badly in OECD Education rankings.  According to The Guardian:

".... the UK's reputation as one of the world's best for education is at risk, and has tumbled several places since 2006.

The UK is ranked 25th for reading, 28th for maths and 16th for science. In 2006, when 57 countries were included in the study, it was placed 17th, 24th and 14th respectively. Poland has stretched ahead of the UK in maths, while Norway is now ranked higher in reading and maths.

Andreas Shleicher, head of the Pisa programme, said the picture for the UK was "stagnant at best".

"Many other countries have seen quite significant improvement," he added."

Labour's failure in education is a huge indictment on their time in office:  Despite billions of taxpayers money spent,  too many children left school unable to read, unable to count, without even decent GSCEs.

You can read more HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Thanks to Mr Blair

Good news on academies.  Thanks to the programme started by Tony Blair when Prime Minister - and now completed  by Michael Gove - fifty-percent of our secondary schools will be academies by early 2012.  According to the Times Educational Supplement, that amounts to 1,463 schools, up from just 407 in 2010 - meaning that 1,000 schools have become academies over the past year.

The Academy Programme is of huge benefit.  Establishing a network of independent state schools, the academies are free from local bureaucracy and are much freer to set their own syllabus and methods of teaching.  Most significantly the schools have full control over their own budget and become a direct employer of staff. They receive the same funding as Local Authority Schools, and extra for services the schools would have originally received from the LEA.

Alongside the Academies, the Government have passed legislation allowing 'Free Schools'. These are not for profit state schools, set up by parents, charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Eighty-eight Free Schools will have been established by the end of 2012. Special assistance is being given to setting up free schools in deprived areas of the country, with a £250,000 development fund for legal and business expertise.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Katharine Birbalsingh criticises failed education system

If you want to know what is wrong with some of our education system, watch this video of Deputy Head-Teacher Katharine Burbalsingh, when she spoke to the Conservative Party conference last week. After she spoke out, she was suspended by her school head-teacher, who is thought to be close to the Labour Party and helped Tony Blair with his election launch in 2005. Some people don't like the truth.

It is well worth reading Ms Burbalsingh's article as well in the Daily Mail.  Click on THIS Link.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Back to Downs School

Many readers of this blog will know that I have visited Downs School in Harlow on a number of occasions. I was pleased to be invited again today to present some healthy eating awards.

The school was given these awards by the NHS, for all its activities in relation to healthy eating. All the pupils participated and it was an award well deserved.

I was also there to present some playground champion certificates. These are given individually to children who act as monitors during break time - looking after children who may be vulnerable and ensuring that every child has an enjoyable and peaceful break.

Downs School is a really impressive school. The Head Teacher, Mr David Yeld, has put the school on the map, winning a range of other symbols of recognition, including an eco-award from Essex Council (I was even given an eco badge!!). He has also brought some traditional values back into the school - as I walked into the entrance, I was greeted by two pupils in very smart blue blazers. Downs is also now divided up into 'houses'. There is also a school council and plaques around the school which highlight individual recognition of various pupils.

Mr Yeld has a strong philosophy for the school and has a great vision for the future. He believes that standards can be improved by building individual self esteem - not just by recognising pupils through awards but though excellence and achievement through additional activities like music. I am sure he is right and I look forward to see how the school develops over coming months.

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