It must be hoped that the new school admissions code published this week will go some way towards closing the well-documented (and shocking) educational achievement gap between children in care and other pupils.
It is just a shame that we cannot welcome the code wholeheartedly, knowing that it also sanctions discrimination by academies against children with behavioural difficulties.
A cynic might suggest that allowing academies with spare places to refuse admission to children with 'challenging behaviour' in their first two years is nothing more than a blatant attempt to boost results at these controversial schools at a time when the government is trying to justify its unreserved support for them, despite widespread concerns across the sector...
Comments (1)
Hi, I've just set up a Blog on this subject. I agree that setting up inspections, prioritising admissions and having virtual headteachers etc are all very well, but will they lead to real change. Well lets hope so because the outcomes for these children need to be improved as soon as possible, if possible.
I'm new to this game and have just been approached to adress the educational mplications in the green paper Care Matters: Transforming the lives of children and young people in care.
So thanks for your comments and when I am more familiar with the job in hand I will be in touch again.
Posted by Janette Decker | February 13, 2007 11:10 AM
Posted on February 13, 2007 11:10