School places lottery: your views

I think a child should go to a school that is best for them i my self went to a special needs school i now work in a biochemstry lab in a hospital it was the best for myself, but for other's not if i went to a main state school i would have failed and would be unemployed it easy if i child is happy in a school keep them there if not send them to a another school a child should in enjoy leaning and this does not just mean form books school should also be teaching them standards in live to recept themselves and others.

I think it is ludicrous because schools in a local area may differ in standard greatly and because the goverment and councils can't be bothered to do anything about it so they are coming up with a way of "equallity" but everyone should have a chance at any school not be forced to go to a worse one because the local authority says so.

Chloe

It's the education authority's way of making every school equal without having to lift a finger to do anything about it - level the playing field and look, we're all the same. What these buffoons don't seem to realise that this is one of the most emotive subjects ever - they are messing around with the future of our children, who, if they took their heads out of their backsides, they would realise are their future as well. Who do they think are the future tax payers who will keep them in their old age? Who do they think will pay the extortionate council taxes which plump up their very nice pensions, thank you??? Short sighted crisis management by people who aren't fit to push a trolley round Tesco on their own and are too dim to think of anything else. If schools are failing its because of the over-prescribed, draconian curriculum which teaches kids all the touchy-feely nonsense that seems to rule our lives - a big help when they can't read and write. Bin the curriclum (its not set in Scotland, never has been), stop central government setting stupid targets which prove zero, let teachers get on with teaching. Over simplified? - maybe, but the KISS system is always worth a shot - Keep It Simple, Stupid. I'm a trained senior school teaching assistant, and believe me, the figures about illiteracy are true. I've worked with 14 year olds who came up from junior school not able to read at all. Shouldn't be happening in 2008, but it still is and its avoidable and unacceptable.

I think it is a very stupid idea. If the Govt has to do it, they must make sure every school in the UK is a good and competative as the other school.

The system seems ludicrous. It is human nature for parents to stay away from what they feel is a failing school, and yet this system forces parents to put their children in an environment that is not the most nurturing one available. This goes against every protective and nuturing instinct a parent has. You choose a school that you feel is the best environment for your child, both educationally and from a safety point of view. I am sure that the Government Minister or Councillors that came up with this stupid lottery system somehow managed to have their children placed in the better schools in the areas concerned.

The only way the Councils are going to know there is a problem with a school is if parents vote with their feet. That way they will know which schools need improving and which ones need more spaces to meet demand. The lottery system papers over this by forcing parents to take what they are given, keeping the figures from looking too terrible and forcing many bright kids to endure a poor education. These brighter kids end up getting only average exam results keeping the school's figures from looking too terrible but damaging the children's future prospects in the process.

Oh well, what do you expect from a Labour Government that tries too hard to be fair and to give everyone what they want. A noble ideal but one that always ends up with no-one getting anything half-decent at all. They have proved this on the last two occasions they have been in power.

Emma

What happens if you are in an area where the schools are very poor and the lottery system puts your child in one of these?

Relying on bureaucrats to come up with solutions is fraught with danger. They can't fix the schools so they come up with a lottery to decide on a random chance basis who goes to the worst schools.

The lottery system does not put your child in a better school it just decides which child goes to the worst school!

Good luck in the lottery of life!

Best

Robin

i have to agree with Emma, the system as it stands is grossly unfair as it seems to mean money = good education, which has nothing to do with one's actual academic ability. Very victorian!!!
Why can' t all schools apply the same standards like on the continent? The whole houseprice elevation is existant because of catchment areas; and people's snobbery about it is rediculous! People need a reality check as to what is really important in life! Good education for all, as knowledge is power!

The thing that frustrates me the most about this lottery system is this: Instead of actually doing anything positive about the school system in general like, building new schools or improving less well performing schools, all it does is scatter the local children out of the area because they cannot get into the local school. I cannot see the point in this - what does it actually achieve? I totally agree with Sunnie. If I work hard to provide well for my child and to live in a nice area, why should I have to send my child to an under performing school in an area that I am not willing to live in?

I totally against this lottery draw school alocation system - it will create more unfiarness than current one. I wonder how could let such stupid idea go so far? Please don't gamble on kids education! please be responsible for kids! STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!

what about children with special needs but are mainstream, we need the right school fo r them as it could have disastrous results!! totally against this lottery system..we have a few local schools to us on e..the nearest is appalling and everyone i know has withdrawn their children from it..