Stories + Views: Parents

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Fiona Millar: Leading education charity warns about new ‘simplified’ admissions

Changes to schools admissions procedures could make the system less fair, according to the Advisory Centre for Education. This charity (ACE) provides independent advice and help for parents in areas like admissions, exclusions and special needs so haas a great deal of experience in the real problems parents can face. It believes that a simplied Code of Practice on Admissions, ... read more and comment →

11 comments

Latest comment by Anonymous student: "This is ridiculous. The Reading School (and Kendrick School) selection process has nothing to do with wealth or background. They select students, like myself, based purely on ability and intelligence. If they kept up their outstanding level of teaching, but ......"

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Tracy Hannigan: Hammersmith and Fulham Council paper fails to print ad praising community schools

Our local parent group worked with in good faith with the  H&F News, a local council freesheet which is about to be closed down,  to place an advertisement in the 05 April 2011 edition. Meant to print on the day of primary admissions announcements, the advertisement was intended to thank the parents and children who chose local Hammersmith and Fulham primary ... read more and comment →

5 comments

Latest comment by Jane Eades: "Wandsworth Council's magazine "Brightside" also verges on the edge of being a political campaigning publication, paid for by tax payers and delivered to nearly every home. I have asked for a right of reply to correct facts and been ......"

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Richard Galbraith: I consider the appointment of the “trustees” was undemocratic and possibly unlawful.

I was a Governor of the -------- (name redacted by editor) School Federation. When the decision was made to become an academy I was initially in support. This was because I considered the education authority had behaved badly regarding the BSF fiasco. The governors were advised that they would elect the trustees. So far as I am concerned, this opportunity ... read more and comment →

3 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Billy - the link in my post above will take you to the DfE page answering questions about academy conversion. You might find the answer you require there. This link to the NASUWT may also be useful: http://www.nasuwt.org.uk/InformationandAdvice/NASUWTPolicyStatements/PolicyStatement1/index.htm..."

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Adrian Elliott: NCPTA Parental Survey shows most parents are not worried about poor discipline in schools and dislike selective schools

I wonder if anyone else has come across this survey of parents by the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Association. It has some very interesting findings. For example, discipline is not a concern for at least 84% of parents which runs entirely contrary to the coalition/national press view that its the single biggest concern for parents in state schools. Whilst ... read more and comment →

46 comments

Latest comment by Allan Beavis: "Andy - You obviously feel strongly about the free school issue, so it would be very helpful if you would kindly put a coherent case forward, backed up with facts, statistics, research which would convincingly prove that a) free school applicants ......"

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Georgina Emmanuel: We MUST fight for an equal chance for all children in the current economic climate of severe cuts to education

Our school, like most schools, is facing very severe cuts to our budget. The head is battling to keep all teachers in their jobs by trying to avoid replacing some of the staff as they leave. Like all schools, the head has a legal commitment to staffing all mainstream classes. There is also a legal requirement to pay for extra support ... read more and comment →

4 comments

Latest comment by Georgina Emmanuel: "Thanks so much for sharing my concerns. By the way, I think the pupil premium works out at round 47p a day??..."

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Francis Gilbert: New research shows the power of parenting “booster” classes in school

Demos, the left-wing think-tank, has just published some important research which shows how effective parenting classes in schools can be; raising attainment, improving behaviour, building self-esteem. "It's time to be honest about what good parenting involves..." makes a number of recommendations but the most salient ones about schools are these (I quote directly from the report): Develop a second tier of ... read more and comment →

4 comments

Latest comment by Alan Gurbutt: "I agree Francis, unnecessary stress should be avoided at all costs. Incidentally, a report by Graham Allen MP entitled “Early Intervention: The Next Steps” provides interesting reading on what can be done 0-5 to detect and resolve social and emotional ......"

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Fiona Millar: Parent campaigns will inevitably grow

One of the most interesting aspects of being involved with this website, is being able to see (both through posts on the site and e-mails we receive) how parent groups are now organising in opposition to government free school policy as well as to try and benefit from it. Michael Gove and his cronies in papers like the Sunday Times (behind ... read more and comment →

12 comments

Latest comment by Rosalyn: "I initially became involved in 'opposition' when I became aware of a free school campaign on a local community website. When I asked questions and expressed concern I was met with a host of indignation and outrage, mostly from people ......"

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Clara Klat: Middle-class parents are “chickening out” of state education

My eldest son is due to start primary school in Hammersmith and Fulham this September. Before applying to schools, I tried to rally other parents in my neighbourhood to join us and support our local schools – one is Addison Primary. Alas many of them – as one local mum put it – 'chickened out' and headed off to the ... read more and comment →

10 comments

Latest comment by Geoffrey: "Francis, thank you for your reply. I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but please don't assume all private schools are as bad as your son's. They certainly have the ability to be miserable, especially at the age your son ......"

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Francis Gilbert: It’s not only “left-wing nutters” who believe in great local schools for all

Toby Young's latest attack on the Local Schools Network in his Telegraph blog tries to lampoon us as "left-wing nutters". Cut behind all his silly verbiage, sneering innuendo and self-publicising grand-standing and you find that the thing he really resents is that we believe that EVERY child should go to a great local school. He is, at heart, an "elitist" who wants to educate his "chosen ... read more and comment →

9 comments

Latest comment by Right wing nutter in spittle-laced rage over opposition to his vanity project | Guy Debord's Cat: "[...] actually read Francis Gilbert’s blog on the LSN site and I have to say that Tobes has bitten off more than he can chew – which is [...]..."

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Fiona Millar: My top campaigning issues – and yours?

Having reflected on many of the comments that have appeared on the site , I thought it might be helpful to say a bit more about what we are campaigning for, as well as against. We want to see fair admissions to all schools. Several of us have links with Comprehensive Future which has been lobbying ministers and politicians of ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Fiona Millar: "Yes very important and thanks for including that. Will be interesting to see what the Green Paper has to say about SEN, if it every gets published. It seems to be about three months overdue now...."

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