In the next 3 weeks DD (Y7) is going on 3 school trips. One is for whole year group to local big museum. Fine.
One is to panto for kids who have got the most reward slips. Again fine, although tough on those who just missed out. (she might miss out yet - she's making the cut at the moment but still 2 weeks to go)
Third is for kids identified as G&T. It's to another museum and is directly linked to the big humanities project that the whole year group are working on.
I have a real problem with this. Letters were publicly handed out in tutor groups to make it clear to all who weren't invited that it was because they weren't clever enough. DD and one of her best friends got a letter, their other best friend didn't. They are all in the same sets and have the same targets, so clearly it was a close call and based (I guess) on friend 3 getting slightly lower CAT scores.
Also of the kids I know who are going, they are all from families who take their kids to these museums anyway, and have tons of opportunities. The kids I know whose parents struggle financially or don't place much emphasis on these types of activities are not in the group (obviously this is not a co-incidence)
This is a mid-performing comprehensive school. I understand that DD is in the top 10% of this school, but probably wouldn't be in a more selective school or in another catchment area. I'm all for differentiation and making sure the brighter kids are getting stretched and reaching their potential, but special trips for G&T make me feel very uncomfortable.
DD agrees, and said she felt very awkward when the letters were handed out. She wants to go though, and I don't want to ban her from going based on my principles.
Does anyone have any experience of this? Would you raise it with the school? Is this a common thing now or OFSTED requirement?
I know the bottom 10% get extra funding and help, but what about the 80% in the middle? Is their education considered unimportant?
Sorry - rant over!
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School trip for G&T kids. I don't approve, but not sure what to do.
64 replies
PigOnRollerskates · 13/11/2013 11:22
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