At the chalkface
News
A grim choice
In my roles of sage, guru, about visions from PowerPoints.
Ex-pupils offer post-16 advice
chalkface prophet and raving Leadership Groups nodded
old dotard I am often ambushed zealously along like beaming
by parents craving wisdom. mormons. All were passionate
Especially at this time of year. about something or other
by David Taylor
Especially by the battered middle – creativity, literacy, community,
classes. Pale, wan and wasted, and world peace. All were mad For year 11 students, making their
they come with a question, an keen to nourish “whole children”. post-16 choices is always difficult
overwhelming question. Their schools tended to combine – a choice that can be even harder
“Can we send nigel/Hugo/ ferocious discipline with savage for students at schools which have
Fennel to your school?” academic rigour and be “the most no 6th form provision.
To an inner city improved” in the known However, a recent event at one
state comprehensive? In universe. What a grim such school saw 30 former students
London? Isn’t it full of palaver. How can return to help guide their younger
feral loonies? Or should parents choose? peers through this crucial process.
we get God and send They seek me out. Last Wednesday (October 28),
them to “The Sisters of I must not fob them off 30 ex-pupils of Belvoir High School
Perpetual mercy”? God with more flannel. There in Leicestershire, who are now year
is good for discipline. Or are so many variables, so 12 and 13 students at a nearby
should we get modern and many complexities. no easy school, returned to their old stomp-
send them to “Burger answers. Still, my message ing ground to offer year 11 pupils
King Academy”? is simple. Go to your local help in making their choices.
It’s been “turned community state school! During a citizenship lesson,
round” by a whizzo London state schools the former students discussed the
headteacher and the get the best GCSEs in the issues around post-16 choice with
army and nice ties. Or country. So say recent figures. Belvoir’s current year 11 pupils.
should we flee to cathedral London pupils are fabulous. So They answered questions about
cities where youths don’t drink say my teacher chums Sarah and the differences between key stage 4
paraffin, flog crack and run michele. I recently visited their and 5, how they chose their post-16 Furtherguidance:Twoofthe30formerpupilsofBelvoirHighSchooltalkinformallyto
amok in classrooms? Where our top 11th year English classes. you courses, what the entry require- someoftheschool’scurrentyear11studentsabouttheiroptionsforpost-16education
children won’t meet my dread won’t see a more variously clever, ments were for various subjects,
Sidney Lunk? Or should we just richer mix of pupils anywhere. and gave descriptions as to what emphasised the fact that post-16 benefit from if they choose to move However, it has now become an 11
junk our principles and go private Sharp, open, confident and happy. new subjects such as psychology students are treated in a much more to the school. to 16 school and this year has its
and plump for St Custard’s!? Inner city sussed and, I’m afraid, entailed. Two year 13 students also adult manner when it comes to their Paul Ainsworth, deputy head at first cohort of year 11 students.
Where they’ll get confidence, rather academically rigorous. gave a more formal presentation to studies. Belvoir, said: “It is interesting that mr Ainsworth added: “It is
Latin and a place in a Russell “Trust me!” I say. “I am a the entire year 11 cohort. She said: “Teachers have given the decision parents make on which likely that the young person will
Group university? Should we sage. Keep the faith! Choose the The returning students, who me films and one teacher makes primary school or the right sec- have the major say in where they
make big sacrifices? Give up the community comprehensive!” all now attend King Edwards VII downloadable podcasts which I can ondary school gets huge publicity, will study post-16 in comparison to
foreign hols, Pilates class, shrink Then things will get better for Upper School in melton mowbray, listen to on my iPod to help me while the decisions faced by year earlier choices which will tend to
and – even the QPR season ticket? all of us. discussed life at their new school, revise.” 11 students about where they would respect parental wishes.
Dear me. What a grim where many of the Belvoir students Tony Pinnock, principal of King like to study post-16, or if they will “The range of choices is so
dilemma! Some are ill with it. • Ian Whitwham is a former are likely to go, and talked about Edwards VII, also spoke to the year try to obtain work with training, wide and the school is very keen
They’ve dragged their tots teacher. A collection of his best university applications. 11 Belvoir students during the day, receive much less coverage.” to ensure that its pupils have the
round endless Open Evenings, columns, At the Chalkface: Great One of the returning group, discussing the differences between This conundrum is even more appropriate information to make
which often resembled a cross moments in Education, is out Rachel Avison, focused on the bar- secondary and post-16 education, pointed at Belvoir as until two the right choice. Some of the best
between a new Labour rally and now priced £8.99 from Hopscotch riers between pupils and teachers, and also explaining their plans for years ago it was a 10 to 14 high advice that year 11 students can
Lourdes. Demon heads droned on Books. Order on 01722 717022. which are broken down even fur- a brand new 6th form centre, which school which saw its year 10 pupils receive is from young people who
ther during post-16 studies. She some of the Belvoir students will transferring to King Edwards VII. have made that choice recently.”
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SJ 27161 SecEd Ad SMART Response FA.indd 1 10/30/09 2:11:04 PM
16 SecEd • November 5 2009
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