Tighter controls on pupil selection
The government are to release for consultation a new code that will create tighter controls on the ways that state schools select pupils. Guidelines already exist for the selection of candidates but adherence is not compulsory. The new code contains wording that makes it clear to schools that they are to follow the rules.
Included in the new code are rules to prevent selection of candidates based on: their parent’s social and financial background; the child’s past behaviour; relationships to school staff or governors; relationship to existing pupils.
So all in all pretty good news, we live in times where children are ferried to and from school in blacked out 4×4s and congregate outside for fear of attracting on the spot ASBOs. This climate of fear leaves comprehensive schools as pretty much the only place where kids can meet other people from different social backgrounds. Personally I’m extremely glad of the understanding of other people I received from going to a school with a broad intake (I don’t believe it had a detrimental effect on my education either). On a broader note allowing children to mix as widely as possible between social, racial and religious groups is the best way to foster a climate free of the sort of isolationism that leads on to hate crime and home grown terrorism.
Via the BBC.