EDUCATION bosses in Southampton have drawn up a wish list of eight different things every child at primary school should be able to do.
But their sights have not been set high for youngsters attending schools in the city which collectively score well below the national average in exams for 11-year-olds and have some of the highest levels of truancy nationwide.
Among the less ambitious targets for youngsters is for them to have the opportunity to visit another town or city and visit an outdoor or rural educational setting.
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Opportunities outlined by education bosses that all youngsters should have include playing a musical instrument, visiting one of Southampton's universities or colleges, visiting one of the city's galleries or museums and experiencing a live dramatic or musical event.
Other targets are for primary school aged children to participate in a sporting event involving more than one school and the chance to explore the marine and waterside environment.
The wish list is included in the city council's primary school vision inspired by the ideas of headteachers and governors.
The vision has been drawn up ahead of a major review planned for later this year into primary school provision in Southampton.
Posted by: A school governor, Just outside Southampton on 2:27pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Are these wishes or targets? Totally unambitious in my opinion, as many can be done with little effort. They appear to be wishes/targets that can be done reasonably easily, and thus make the council 'look good'. Without sustained targets (such as live drammatic/musical events each term (easily possible, can be done at the school)), they're just as woolly as my winter coat.
Are these wishes or targets? Totally unambitious in my opinion, as many can be done with little effort. They appear to be wishes/targets that can be done reasonably easily, and thus make the council 'look good'. Without sustained targets (such as live drammatic/musical events each term (easily possible, can be done at the school)), they're just as woolly as my winter coat.
All of the items on your wish list should still be very easy to achieve as when I attended primary school some 40 years ago we did virtually all of what you suggest and more, but it takes dedicate staff willing to help, not the staffs fault but have you thought about Health and Safety, that is usually the excuse.
All of the items on your wish list should still be very easy to achieve as when I attended primary school some 40 years ago we did virtually all of what you suggest and more, but it takes dedicate staff willing to help, not the staffs fault but have you thought about Health and Safety, that is usually the excuse.
Posted by: Susie, Southampton on 9:09pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Some of the things on the list are things that children in Southampton do not have a chance to do.Look beyond the list! Look at the rest of the vision. I do wish the Echo would report fairly and not pick things out of context. It is a shame that there is not more support for the excellent education in Southampton from the local newspaper.
Some of the things on the list are things that children in Southampton do not have a chance to do.Look beyond the list! Look at the rest of the vision. I do wish the Echo would report fairly and not pick things out of context. It is a shame that there is not more support for the excellent education in Southampton from the local newspaper.
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