Scratch the surface of British life and you will see the country is as class divided as ever. There have been some positive changes over the years but as the rich poor and north south, divide in the UK increases to a record modern high reports indicate that many children never have a chance to improve their lot. Some subjects children study for examination purposes are necessary to secure a place in further education or a half-decent job. Schools in Britain are just another public sector industry plagued by government league tables and statistics. That means that in order to be classed as a successful school, retain funding and avoid being put under special measures schools must deliver good examination results. While we would all say that good education standards and examinations results should be a given what if that is meaning poorer children are excluded? The Open Public Services Network has been looking at school examination results and has released some shocking though not unexpected news. "Pupils in some parts of England are unlikely to take exams that could be vital to their job prospects - such as sciences and languages - due to a subject "desert", a study has found says BBC News Wednesday. BBC News shows the example of science subjects as: • Triple science: pupils study physics, chemistry and biology as separate subjects, gain three GCSEs (one in each subject) and can progress to science A-levels • Double science: pupils take a combination of physics, chemistry and biology and gain two science GCSEs. They can still progress to science A-levels, but the Association of Science Educators says there is evidence they are less likely to do so In response to today's news the Tory led coalition government said thousands more pupils were now taking core subjects. But news that some subjects are simply not available at poorer schools as managers fear poor and damaging results is shocking. The Tories like to talk up social mobility but restricting education will ruin any prospects of moving on. Education should be viewed as a vital resource and one that is equally available for all but it is not in the UK. The above study was funded by Leeds City Council and shows that in four authorities - Hartlepool, Barnsley, Kingston-upon-Hull and Knowsley - fewer than 15% of pupils took triple science. As a resident of Kingston-upon-Hull that news disgusts. Kids from this northern city face a tough time. Jobs are scarce in this city and having an education that will allow for social mobility is a must. But education in this city was much better not that long ago. When Labour introduced a comprehensive education system children across the country and the city benefited. This writer had to change school but her new school offered a range of subjects and examination possibilities. Learning Latin was a challenge; learning German but only from the age of 14 was not easy but a grade one examination pass a couple of years later showed it was worth the effort; and learning science as a novice even at age 14 was fascinating.
The 1960's Comprehensive system of education is often derided these days but having a system that educates according to league tables and to meet government demands is depriving poor children of equal opportunities in school in 2015. Read a full report at the BBC here
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