So say education authorities chasing higher university entry numbers

The Department of Education (DoE) has identified Hastings as a ‘social mobility coldspot’. Out of 324 local authority districts in England and Wales, Hastings was placed 299th on a recently researched index comparing the chances of a child from a disadvantaged background doing well at school and getting a good job.

Poor local schooling? Not according to the 44-page Delivery Plan issued by the Hastings Opportunity Area Partnership Board, which has a pot of £6 million of direct funding from the DoE to spend on improving social mobility. The Board is ‘made up of talented local leaders determined to ensure that all children and young people in Hastings have the essential foundations for future success’.  And it speaks of ‘some excellent provision and outstanding teaching in Hastings…. The number of good and outstanding schools is increasing and young people have access to good post-16 provision, with Sussex Coast College and Bexhill College both rated good by Ofsted’. (Ark Helenswood can now make a similar claim – see our report above). Special school provision for children and young people with high needs is also stated to be ‘good and outstanding’.

But then the Plan also records that pupils’ achievement at age five in the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is above the national average, as is the proportion of children attending good and outstanding early years provision, placing Hastings in the top 10% of all local authority districts for the early years.

So why are fewer school-leavers going to university or trying other forms of higher education, compared to neighbouring towns like Eastbourne and Lewes? According to King’s College, London Widening Participation Officer, Joe Collins, the disparity between early potential and inferior achievement may stem from ‘low parental expectations’ rather than ‘low aspirations’ of pupils.  King’s are issuing a University Taster Pack under the banner ‘Born To Be’, covering issues such as student finance, career choices, why and where young people might go to university. It is aimed as much at parents as their children, ‘especially those who might not have gone to university themselves’.

• Families can order their free packs via the Born To Be website at: borntobe.org.uk

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https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpgHIPNewsBorn To Be,Department of Education,universitySo say education authorities chasing higher university entry numbers The Department of Education (DoE) has identified Hastings as a ‘social mobility coldspot’. Out of 324 local authority districts in England and Wales, Hastings was placed 299th on a recently researched index comparing the chances of a child from a disadvantaged...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper