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‘Three-tier does not work’ - college
Bedford College October 2010
EDUCATION in a three-tier system ‘simply does not work’ according to Bedford College chiefs.
College principal Ian Pryce spoke out this week in the form of a written riposte to Bedford Borough Council’s vision for education document.
In a seven page riposte outlining the college’s concerns about the document Mr Pryce claims that Bedford Borough’s failing schools are the result of its three-tier schools system.
He said: “We believe the pattern of poor results is significantly influenced by a three-tier system that simply does not work.
“It gives upper schools insufficient time with pupils prior to GCSE choices, it discourages great staff from coming to the borough by being different from the national system operating elsewhere and it requires two changes in school when change tends to reverse pupil progress in the short term.”
Bedford Borough Council published it’s draft vision for education earlier this month which is currently open to public consultation.
The document is not signed by any council officer or portfolio holder.
It shows that although borough schools are improving in some areas they are getting worse than others and Key Stage 1 education is the only area where the authority performs above the national average and its statistical neighbours.
The document states: “Despite evidence of improvement these outcomes are far from what we as a borough would wish to see and what our parents and young people have reason to expect.”
It added: “Many reasons have been expressed and many individuals hold strong views, but there is clear consensus that there is plenty of scope for improvement, and that it is achievable.”
To have your say on the council’s education vision visit www.bedford.gov.uk
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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