Can school provide clubs/extra help Just for certain children ?

Savvy_Sue

Deleted_User wrote: »

But that is only a theory though, my two currently receive free school meals, but that is due to a change in our family circumstances, not because they don't receive good education from school or home.

It's one of the less crackpot theories in the field of education however: just because there are children on FSM who don't 'need' the premium doesn't mean that it's not as good a measure as any other for targeting additional resources.

Of course, there are children from very well off families who also need extra support: the money may be available at home, but the time and attention isn't.

Mind you, I can't help feeling that there's too much 'pure' (or impure!) statistical information available. For example, when the number of children on FSM is publicly available, it allows parents to try to avoid schools where that number is high. Rather than going to take a look, some parents think "oh, too many poor families there = sink school, I'll go elsewhere." Whereas if you DO go and look, and especially if you're prepared to get stuck in, the school can do a remarkable job for all its pupils.