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Thousands going to 'poor schools' Thousands going to 'poor schools'
(20 minutes later)
A top government adviser has said about 80,000 children go to weak secondary schools each year - some of them so bad they should be "shut down quickly".A top government adviser has said about 80,000 children go to weak secondary schools each year - some of them so bad they should be "shut down quickly".
Sir Cyril Taylor, head of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, said it was unfair it tended to be poorer families using these schools.Sir Cyril Taylor, head of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, said it was unfair it tended to be poorer families using these schools.
He calculated there were about 500 schools seriously underperforming on the basis of their GCSE results.He calculated there were about 500 schools seriously underperforming on the basis of their GCSE results.
The government says that, on its count, the number is only about 50.The government says that, on its count, the number is only about 50.
It maintains most parents get their first choice of school.It maintains most parents get their first choice of school.
'Unfairness''Unfairness'
Sir Cyril's definition of underperformance is a school in which less than 25% of pupils achieve five good GCSEs, including English and maths, and less than 40% get the equivalent of five good GCSEs in any subjects.Sir Cyril's definition of underperformance is a school in which less than 25% of pupils achieve five good GCSEs, including English and maths, and less than 40% get the equivalent of five good GCSEs in any subjects.
He estimates there are about 500 such schools.He estimates there are about 500 such schools.
As long as they remain, many parents have no real choice of school, he argues.As long as they remain, many parents have no real choice of school, he argues.
"There are these 80,000 going to schools that are underperforming, and some very badly underperforming," he said in a BBC interview."There are these 80,000 going to schools that are underperforming, and some very badly underperforming," he said in a BBC interview.
"That's what we have got to focus on. That's the unfairness."That's what we have got to focus on. That's the unfairness.
"They vary so much. Some are so bad they ought to be shut down quickly and some are struggling and need help." HAVE YOUR SAY It's not always the school that is at fault, the kids should want to learn Sandra, Manchester href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4152&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments "They vary so much. Some are so bad they ought to be shut down quickly and some are struggling and need help."
Sir Cyril said some parents were able to escape these schools by moving house but added admissions should "not be about the size of your mortgage".Sir Cyril said some parents were able to escape these schools by moving house but added admissions should "not be about the size of your mortgage".
Varied criteriaVaried criteria
The government says its own definition of low attaining schools identifies only about 50 secondary schools, down from 616 in 1997, adding that 92% of parents receive their first choice.The government says its own definition of low attaining schools identifies only about 50 secondary schools, down from 616 in 1997, adding that 92% of parents receive their first choice.
This figure is based on research it commissioned some years ago. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) does not collect actual statistics.This figure is based on research it commissioned some years ago. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) does not collect actual statistics.
Birmingham City Council last year published its admissions figures, which showed that only 63% of parents got the secondary school of their choice.Birmingham City Council last year published its admissions figures, which showed that only 63% of parents got the secondary school of their choice.
Laura Warren, of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: "What is so easy to lose sight of is that these are real situations - these are our children who haven't got a school place, at very worst, or they have got a place in a school that wasn't their first choice... it's real life."Laura Warren, of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: "What is so easy to lose sight of is that these are real situations - these are our children who haven't got a school place, at very worst, or they have got a place in a school that wasn't their first choice... it's real life."
How do we possibly start to compare? We are not comparing like for like Laura Warren, National Confederation of Parent Teacher AssociationsHow do we possibly start to compare? We are not comparing like for like Laura Warren, National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations
She added that the schools admissions system was "not understood well enough by parents, and also it's so varied".She added that the schools admissions system was "not understood well enough by parents, and also it's so varied".
"Different schools have different selection criteria, whether that's on ability, faith, or whether now we are looking at academies being introduced and foundation schools which will have their own selection criteria."Different schools have different selection criteria, whether that's on ability, faith, or whether now we are looking at academies being introduced and foundation schools which will have their own selection criteria.
"How do we possibly start to compare? We are not comparing like for like.""How do we possibly start to compare? We are not comparing like for like."
A DfES spokeswoman said the admissions system had to be made "fair and transparent" to ensure equal opportunities for every child.A DfES spokeswoman said the admissions system had to be made "fair and transparent" to ensure equal opportunities for every child.
"The new School Admissions Code will help us to create a level playing field where every parent has a fair shot at getting the place they want and will mean that no child is disadvantaged over another," the spokeswoman said."The new School Admissions Code will help us to create a level playing field where every parent has a fair shot at getting the place they want and will mean that no child is disadvantaged over another," the spokeswoman said.