Poverty inquiry finds growing inequality in schools
Gulf between children from low- and high-income families is starker than ever, leading to social isolation and bullying
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/31/inequality-schools-children-poverty-commission
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I found this very interesting. Some things haven't changed. I had financial struggles over the same things when my two children were at school.
Now it's happening with my granddaughter. Two years ago her school started giving Mandolin lessons. It was near Christmas, so she got a mandolin from her other grandmother and her parents paid the fees. Within six months the teacher stopped giving the lessons.
Next it was guitar lessons. Luckily Mr Ohso won £40 on a scratch card and knows a guy that owns a music shop. Within six months that teacher had left and there was no-one to replace her.
Then there was the after school sewing club and sheer luck that I had a stock of cross stitch materials because that club also folded after no more than a few months.
Every year the headmaster holds a 'Dress Up As Your Favourite Book Character Day. Fine, but some parents have made it a competition to see who can send their kids in the best outfit.
Every year they have a 'Victorian' school day, and send the kids home with a list of what they should wear, what food they should take and what the food should be in. For a lot of mothers that means another trek to the fancy dress hire shop. Luckily I got busy with some old bed sheets which didn't cost more than a couple of pounds, but some families would even struggle to find that.
Every year at Christmas they put on plays and the kids come home with a list of what they need to wear.
I've told my granddaughter to remind her teachers that not all poorer children have grandmothers with a bit of cash, or the ability to use a sewing machine. They have nowhere to turn when the school gives them yet another list of what they need and at short notice.
One teacher replied that there's a Primart [cheap clothing store]in Camberley.
Reality checks needed in some schools I think.