MINORITY FAITH SCHOOLS
Last week the schools adjudicator Sir Philip Hunter revealed that over half of state schools are breaching the government’s admissions laws, which are designed to prevent pupil cherry-picking by means such as interviewing parents before offering a child a place. Sir Philip acknowledged that most of the individual breaches of the code were by faith schools. This comes on the back of changes to the rules that allow faith schools to discriminate on religious grounds when employing staff.
Libby Purves discusses the issues with Steve Chalke of Oasis Christian Academies and Keith Porteous Wood of the National Secular Society. Libby also talks to Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, of Accord, a broad coalition including the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the British Humanist Association (BHA).
PRISON SMOKEHOUSE
Most prisoners in this country are offered educational courses and training, but a prison in Cumbria not only offers classes in skills like IT, bricklaying and plumbing, but it's giving some prisoners the chance to learn the art of smoking fish. HMP Haverigg has worked with the Port of Lancaster Smokehouse to create a purpose-built smokery inside the prison.
Reporter, Judy Merry has been to see it and one of the prisoners showed her round.
STATE BOARDING SCHOOLS
There are 35 State Boarding Schools in the UK – 2 military and 2 non-fee paying local authority run. The other 31 are more usual – where the education is free, but parents pay board – which is an average of £9,000 a year.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families recently announced it is making at least £10 million available over the next three years to support the expansion of state boarding schools, and new places could particularly help vulnerable children.
Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate, Surrey is the only state boarding school that also has a primary. Libby talks to the school’s Headmaster, Paul Spencer Ellis, who is also ex Chairman of the State Boarding Schools Association.
CONSUMER CHALLENGE QUIZ
The Consumer Challenge Quiz has been running for 10 years. It was developed in Birmingham in conjunction with teachers from three local Special Schools. Its aim is to help young people with learning difficulties to become better informed and more confident consumers.
Reporter Angela Robson reports from Corbets Tey School in Upminster, Essex.
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