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Extra help for pupils struggling for GCSEs
Date published: 10 February 2010
PUPILS across Oldham struggling to reach GCSE standard will be given more personalised teaching following a Government cash injection.
Education chiefs at the council will be given £98,000 as part of a £20 million investment in Foundation Learning. Dubbed “stepping stone” learning because its flexible structure is tailored to individual needs, it will boost pupils up to the standard needed for either GCSEs, apprenticeships or diplomas.
From September, the pupils will get specialised teaching, often with a vocational focus, personal tuition in school, small class sizes, extra support for maths, English and ICT, learning mentors or off-site work-based provision.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said it will be at the discretion of local authorities how they wish to spend their money.
Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families said: “The announcement that Oldham will receive this funding is excellent news. It will be used to develop the Foundation Learning programme.
“Foundation Learning builds on the successful work Oldham has been doing for many years with schools, colleges and work-based learning providers.
“In Oldham over 500 young people aged between 14 and 16 are involved with a range of programmes from equestrian studies, carpentry and joinery, motor vehicle studies, hairdressing to diplomas in construction.”
Comments
'Struggling to reach GCSE standard?' After eleven years of so called schooling they are still struggling to pass these dumbed down GCSE exams? These so called tests have now become so easy, a water beetle could could master them. Is it just me or is there something basically wrong in our schools and with our teaching system? Will our 'academies' solve the problem? Will 'Opportunity' ever see sense? Will Shergar race again?
The academies in Oldham haven't even opened yet ProDriver, give it a chance. I work in a school and know that the schools that are failing are trying the ones trying the hardest. You look at the council’s figures, the schools that attain under average GCSE results, are actually getting better grades than the government predicted the kids would when they left primary school at 11. So they are exceeding expectations yet not hitting the national average. It's not all secondary schools fault.
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Oh dear Kay, the millions wasted on academies not paying off then? Aren't acedemies supposed to help get rid of failing schools and improve results? Where is it all going wrong?
By ProDriver @ 11/02/2010 00:50:01