"Bridget Phillipson has said she is ready to take on the unions in a battle over compulsory reading tests for 13-year-olds and more extracurricular activities for all children to prevent them becoming stuck in a doom loop of detachment from school. The education secretary said that teaching unions, who have argued the tests were unnecessary and distracting, should really think carefully about whether they could justify standing in the way of tackling the shocking outcomes that exist for many working-class children."
"In response to the curriculum and assessment review published next week, there will be a new mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in an attempt to tackle underachievement by working-class children. Schools will also be expected to informally assess writing and maths. There will also be a requirement on every school in England to offer core enrichment activities to all pupils in five different areas including sports, arts and culture, and also outdoor activities, civic engagement and life skills such as cooking and managing finances."
"I'm on the side of children and parents and my first priority has to be the best possible outcomes for children in our country, and especially for working-class kids. They only get one chance at a good education and we cannot allow this drift to continue. I'd urge those who are considering opposing the introduction of such a measure [reading test"
A mandatory Year 8 reading test will be introduced to tackle underachievement among working-class children. Schools will be expected to carry out informal assessments in writing and maths alongside the new reading test. Every school in England will be required to offer core enrichment activities across five areas: sports, arts and culture, outdoor activities, civic engagement, and life skills such as cooking and managing finances. Ofsted will consider whether schools meet these expectations during routine inspections. Only two-thirds of secondary pupils participated in school extracurricular activities last year despite benefits for progression. One in four children overall and one in three disadvantaged children do not meet required literacy standards.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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