School Transport costs and Social Exclusion

Gingham_Ribbon

mrcow wrote: »

Science is a compulsory subject for all up to the age of 16.

Who told her that she wasn't allowed to attend any more science lessons? What reason was given. This all seems very odd.

This is right enough and sadly not uncommon. Often gifted children end up working through the curriculum themselves, while the others are being taught things they already know. Once they've completed that work, some schools refuse to help them, claiming that gifted children don't need the help and they're blatant about only teaching children that 'need' the help. :mad: Consequently, many gifted children are stuck in a system where they have to sit and not be disruptive for hours on end while the education system ignores them.

Fluffy, the law is changing in September which will go a little way to helping gifted children. I'll try to find the details.

Errata

Fly_Baby wrote: »

Where did you find generalisations in my post?

One example is "but you are already getting MUCH more from the local education system than many other parents". This is a sweeping generalisation as it is something you cannot know.

Gingham_Ribbon

Interesting article.

bertiebots

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Yes that's true. But it's not how it should work and I think I can help to change things for everyone.

Also on the general admissions policy - Even if my youngest DD is not bright enough to get in the grammar school I'm still going to get the blatant sex discrimination policy looked at, for example.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that you just have to do whatever you can to get by for your kids sake...its all of you who will benefit , it doesnt really matter if you disagree with the way help is offered. I personally would grin and bear it.

I agree on the other issues. More provision should not be provide for one sex over the other...thats just wrong.

Savvy_Sue

Fifer wrote: »

I'm astonished that anyone would expect a child to walk seven miles a day carrying school books, sports kit and possibly a musical instrument too. Don't let her take up the cello fluffy ...

I never expected him to do so, but DS2 chose to do so from about the age of 15. He left the house about 7 am, in all weathers, to walk about 4 miles, including some quite steep hills. He enjoyed the thinking time. And then he would walk home after school too.

There was a very good bus service, which was free until 6th form. He got to keep his bus fare money at that point! :money:

He wasn't a cello player, but he has just taken up the ocarina at university. His headphones broke, so he bought an ocarina to play while he walks to campus. No idea why he didn't buy new headphones, but there you go. He always was slightly strange.

Fluffy, I'm just wondering what system you'd prefer for checking eligibility for free school meals? Surely someone, somewhere, has to check your income? It's come on a lot since I was entitled to them (as a child) when the teacher would call out your name and say it was a free dinner - at the boys' school you'd get a cash card like everyone else, just that if you had free school meals it would be preloaded. So the only reason a child's friends would find out would be if they realised you never had to top your card up.

Gingham_Ribbon

For those with an interest in this subject. This happened a couple of days ago.

tori.k

fluffymuffy wrote: »

DD's school is 10 miles away and so we fall outside the other end of the rule too - the LA funds travel between 3 and 6.5miles. Presumably everyone in the area lives within 6.5 miles of a school? I don't know.

(she puts her thinking cap on) Are you in England? i need to check with a friend (bear with the next few lines) she works in a comp and we have discussed a revised policy (white paper?) to do with kids with special needs, where the school by law have to provide a plan and education suited to each individual child, i will get the ins &out when she gets home from work later. its grasping at straws but might be a loophole worth exploring if the local school cannot meet her T&G requirements but the grammer school can,

Fly_Baby

fluffymuffy wrote: »

But you were just telling me I was already getting MUCH more from the local education system than many other parents. That isn't true.

I am sorry I didn't realise that you didn't actually claim free school meals and uniform. THAT would be much more help than most parents are getting.

But now I am even more confused. You are not getting what you are legally due by your choice - school meals and uniform - but you are willing to fight for somethins that isn't routinely offered?

fluffymuffy

tori.k wrote: »

(she puts her thinking cap on) Are you in England? i need to check with a friend (bear with the next few lines) she works in a comp and we have discussed a revised policy (white paper?) to do with kids with special needs, where the school by law have to provide a plan and education suited to each individual child, i will get the ins &out when she gets home from work later. its grasping at straws but might be a loophole worth exploring if the local school cannot meet her T&G requirements but the grammer school can,

I'm thinking that by the way I was encouraged to apply, even though my application is bound to fail, and then appeal, the Head of Admissions want's this whole area looked at by the funding committee.

Fly_Baby

Errata wrote: »

One example is "but you are already getting MUCH more from the local education system than many other parents". This is a sweeping generalisation as it is something you cannot know.

I explained above. I assumed that since the OP was in a low income and struggling to pay £78 per month for transport she was getting free school meals and help with uniform, as well as a free grammar school place.

That IS much more than most parents are getting and that's a commonly known fact: most families pay full price for meals, uniform, transport - and if their children are smart enough to get a place in a selective school that wouldn't be free either.