Changethinking

Archive for the ‘child poverty’ Category

Somewhere, in my past I remember being told ‘more haste less speed.’

The Draft Structural Reform Plan is in plenty of haste. Built into that, is the feeling that there is no time to talk about these major changes in our education system that will happen by September 2010.

To discuss openly can only ever be the right thing to do. Consultation is a process that, in the end, has huge benefits including involving people, creating ownership, making changes, being reflective.

So, why is there so much haste in these sweeping changes? At what level of breakneck speed are we expected to see the education system move into academies and free schools?

The Draft Structural Reform Plan, published by the DFE in July 2010 states that they will replace “the old, top down systems of targets and central micromanagement”. The power is being given to the people and the communities, only responsible to the Secretary of Education of course.
Improvements will be made through; local democratic accountability, competition, choice and social action.

But how does the setting up of academies and free schools be democratically accountable and provide social action or indeed choice. Schools set up by parents and anyone that wants to is not the same thing as being democratic

They would, I suggest, create competition and provide choice for those who can afford to move their children and to wherever offers the best in facilities and results.

But what are the opportunities for the schools in less wealthy communities?

And where does this fit with the increasing needs of children living in poverty in our country? Will it bring a good education and a chance to broaden young people’s horizons?

It may enhance children who already have much, but what about those who have not? Are we heading to a fairer society? Will this narrow the gap between the rich and the disadvantaged?

The haste in which this will happen is staggering, over a period of 4 months, including the summer break, legislation will be in place.It is hoped that the first schools will be converting to Academy status in September 2010, one month from now!

Plenty of haste at a breakneck speed for major changes.

Let’s be clear about what the changes are, and for whom, and which children will really receive a better education as a result.

Children in Poverty

The target to halve child poverty by 2010 is unlikely to be met. Latest figures, as shown in Children and Young People Now,12- 18 Jan, show that around 2.9 million children are living in poverty before housing costs are taken into account, which is 650,000 short of the target.

Much of our work (SmithMartin Partnership LLP) is related to families and helping to raise aspirations. It’s about a realisation of how difficult it is to help children and parents back into activities and back to having fun.

As an example, if children don’t have the right footwear for activity sessions, it’s much easier for parents to say, ‘No thanks we can’t get to the kids active group after school’.

It’s like a snowball of needs that just can’t be stopped from rolling right down the hill.

Programmes that work directly with families, eg. Newcastle City Council on supporting teenage fathers are having a real benefit.

Let’s hope that grass roots methods can create a raft of support that can actually deliver, and be shown to really lift children out of poverty.