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'EDUCATION
LOTTERY' FORCES PARENTS TO TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES
AN education
"postcode
lottery" means that parents in the north of England would
consider moving house to get their children into a good school,
according to a poll commissioned by The Children's Society.
13% of those
questioned in the region agreed that they would be prepared to
provide incorrect details, such as where they live or their faith,
to secure a place for their children. People in London were the most
likely (23%) to give false information, while those in Northern
Ireland and Scotland were the least likely (9%). Across the UK, 81%
said they would not falsify their details to get their children into
their preferred state of church school. 52% of those
questioned in the north of England agreed that they would move
house, which is only slightly higher than the national figure (51%).
The survey, conducted by GfK NOP, is the 3rd in a series called
Reflections on Childhood commissioned by The Children's Society as
part of its Good Childhood Inquiry - the UK's 1st independent
national inquiry into childhood.
Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children's Society, said:-
"The lengths that parents, in the north of England and across the
UK, are prepared to go to clearly indicate that there are huge
variations in school standards. But for many parents, the costly
exercise of moving house to get their child into a good school is
simply not an option. The current system is in danger of embedding
inequality by making a child's social class the key influencer in
their educational success."
Other research has shown that poorer children across the UK are less
likely to have a good school among their nearest 3 schools. 44% of
children who are eligible for free school meals have a good school
nearby, compared to 61% of their peers.
"Unless we create a system where all children have equal
access to a good education, millions of children will be denied a
fair start in life,' said Bob Reitemeier.
Learning is the 3rd of 6 key themes to be considered by The Good
Childhood Inquiry. Evidence received by the panel shows that,
although levels of attainment have been rising steadily over the
last 20 years and more pupils are staying on after 16 , certain
groups continue to lag behind. From the age of 6, children from
disadvantaged homes are overtaken by children in better-off families. Professionals submitting evidence also expressed concern that
teachers are reporting an increase in children starting school with
poor speech and language skills.
Kathy Sylva, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University
of Oxford, who is leading the inquiry's investigation into learning
said:- "Learning does not start and end at the school gates.
Research shows that children also learn through play, and from
spending time with family and friends. We must consider how to
ensure children thrive in all these environments."
The Reflections on Childhood poll also looked at assessment and the
curriculum. In the north of England, 73% of respondents agreed that
there is more emphasis on tests and exams nowadays than when they
were at school, while 65% strongly agreed that a priority for
schools should be to support children's social and emotional
development.
"If we want to equip children for all aspects of future life
teaching them to be literate and numerate is not enough, we need to
widen the scope and invest in the emotional and social skills they
will require day to day," said Kathy Sylva.
A summary of the evidence about learning submitted to the inquiry by
the public, adults and professionals can be downloaded from
www.goodchildhood.org.uk.
Over the next 12 months, the inquiry will hold meetings on the
remaining themes of lifestyle, health and values before publishing
its final report in early 2009. The public can contribute to
The Good Childhood Inquiry by logging on to
hundredsandthousands.org.uk
and sharing their childhood memories. |
Win
big with Guide Dogs Lucky Lottery Super Draw
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Does Mother know
best?
THE young claim they know best about diet and wellbeing, but
older people claim THEY do.
People brought up on a diet of 3 meals a day, including meat and 2
veg and puddings that ‘stick to your ribs’, might think
theirs is the best nutritional route to health and wellbeing – but
new research casts doubt on the belief that such knowledge is an age
thing.
A Standard Life Healthcare survey on attitudes to healthcare showed
that 60% of people over 55 reckon their generation knows best when
it comes to healthy nutrition. And here’s a surprise – 66% of
younger people think that THEIRS does! But is it just a matter
of opinion, or do older people – or younger people – know more about
such matters?
"Because there is so much information available these days
about health and wellbeing, and nutrition particularly, it stands to
reason that people who were born after, say, 1950 and have become
the internet generation think they know a lot about these things...
But
the fact remains that those born before then – and who to a certain
extent had less access to many of the unhealthy processed foods –
could also claim to be healthier and less prone to some of the food
and lifestyle related ailments we see today." said Standard Life Healthcare spokesperson Mandy Blanks.
But it’s not that easy. While simpler food may have been more
balanced with meat and 3 veg, cooking in dripping and eating butter
in larger quantities for example would not have been. Other Standard
Life research, undertaken as part of a wider study into the
attitudes to healthcare in the UK, seems to support this view as it
showed that 3 out of 4 people aged 55-64 are flummoxed by what they
see as mixed messages about healthy nutrition.
"A balanced diet and exercise, supported by expert advice, are
the key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle." added Mandy
Blanks. Information is key, which is why Standard Life Healthcare
provides all its medical insurance customers with free online
medically validated health and nutrition information. |
