What your report on the
grammar school which "boots out kids to keep up its league-table scores" omitted
to include was the fact that the school in question, St Olave`s, insists on all
entrants passing an exam at the age of 11, and also has a high threshold for
entry into the 6th form (Morning Star, 30/08/17). The pupils excluded for
failing to achieve 3 Bs in the interim exams had already proved themselves twice
to be academically brilliant, so refusing them the opportunity to study in year
13 is inexcusable. Management, it seems, is more intent on their school rising
to the top of the examinations` league table, than giving all of their pupils
the opportunity to take A levels. The welfare of the pupils matters not a jot,
it would appear!
What makes this more
annoying is the fact that these clever students will be welcomed at nearly all
universities, regardless of whether they get grades A, B or C, and many of them
will exceed expectations at higher education. One would also think that the
teachers would relish the challenge of improving the grades of these pupils from
the ones attained in year 12, something that most teachers find extremely
rewarding.
The current system of
league tables imposed by recent governments encourages such behaviour in these
"exam factories". If there have to be league tables, lets have one which
concentrates on rewarding schools which aim to maximise the opportunities for
all pupils, and offer them a level playing field on which to do so.
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