www.change.org/p/justine-greening-mp-extend-the-proven-researched-principles-of-quality-early-years-education-for-all-children-up-to-the-age-of-7?recruiter=44384614&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-custom_msg
I just wanted to get this petition out there, as I think it is important. My ds just turned 5 is developmentally delayed and is in the reception at a mainstream school which has an outstanding OFSTEAD. Therefore kids there are put under pressure. This pressure is passed down from the HT, teacher, and onto the children. A few parents have told me that their child has tummy aches before school, and that they don't want to go in.
It is not the children that are the problem, but the education system which expects a lot from very young children, too soon, fine if your child is very academic, but a lot are not and struggle. Why can't government use the Finnish model, they achieve one of the top marks in the world, children start school at 7, the curriculum is totally child focused, and flexible, with hands on exploring learning, instead of whiteboard and writing and traditional methods. They are tested at 16, not 6!