The educational outcomes of children eligible for free school meals have been worse than those of children from better off families ever since records began. However, recent figures presented to county councillors show that free school meals children in Worcestershire do less well than those elsewhere.
The latest figures from 2013 show that the gap between the achievement of children getting free meals and those who don’t is bigger in Worcestershire in than the rest of the country and bigger than similar counties
As Labour spokesman on education at the county council, and a former teacher, I think it is completely unacceptable that poorer children are being left behind in Worcestershire. Our schools are doing well for most children, but these figures should be a real cause for concern. Poorer children deserve to be educated well, not just the better off. If other education authorities can do it, why isn’t Worcestershire?
The latest figures from 2013 show that the gap between the achievement of children getting free meals and those who don’t is bigger in Worcestershire in than the rest of the country and bigger than similar counties
As Labour spokesman on education at the county council, and a former teacher, I think it is completely unacceptable that poorer children are being left behind in Worcestershire. Our schools are doing well for most children, but these figures should be a real cause for concern. Poorer children deserve to be educated well, not just the better off. If other education authorities can do it, why isn’t Worcestershire?