Unequal Opportunities, BBC Two

Unequal Opportunities, BBC Two | reviews, news & interviews

Unequal Opportunities, BBC Two

John Humphrys asks how we can close the equality gap for kids in state schools

by Fisun GunerTuesday, 21 September 2010

John Humphrys asks what can be done when 'rich thick kids do better than poor clever kids'Copyright: Matt Prince

There’s an equality gap in our education system. Poor kids come bottom of the class, while rich kids are destined for the elite universities. In the eloquent words of education minister Michael Gove: “Rich thick kids do better than poor clever kids.” And we’ve got loads of stats to back this up.

But bad schools really can be turned around. And, Humphrys finds, it’s all about leadership

Explore topics

Share this article

...

Permalink Submitted by harry burton (not verified) on Tue, 21/09/2010 - 14:44

"eloquent"? rich thick kids? if there are rich thick kids then there must be poor thick kids, but what politician would ever refer to them in those terms? quotable, maybe but hardly eloquent. is it ok to call a child thick because their parents are rich?

...

Permalink Submitted by Maya (not verified) on Wed, 22/09/2010 - 18:47

The choice of school they focused on in Wimboldon with kids being bussed in was a bit bizarre. John Paul the II School is a Catholic school with the usual admissions rules that go along with that. Like most Catholic schools its admission rules are based on on baptism and churchgoing - hence kids are bussed in. As far as I know children can't be offered a place at a faith school unless they apply for it, so presenting it as a sink school where 'poor children are dumped' seemed a bit odd.

...

Permalink Submitted by London School Mum (not verified) on Thu, 21/10/2010 - 08:55

I'm going through the process of visiting and applying for schools in a fairly deprived area of South London now and having to figure out the best of the limited choices on offer. It's time consuming, depressing and I'm resigned to believing my child will not end up in a school of choice. http://southlondonschoolhurdlerace.posterous.com/

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more TV

Paris Has Fallen, Prime Video review - Afghan war veteran wreaks a terrible vengeance Cynical politicians and amoral arms dealers feel the heat

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, BBC One review - handsome finale for Hilary Mantel adaptation Mark Rylance is on top form as his Thomas Cromwell re-emerges after nine years

The Day of the Jackal, Sky Atlantic review - Frederick Forsyth's assassin gets a modern-day makeover Eddie Redmayne shoots to kill in lavish 10-part drama

Until I Kill You, ITV1 review - superb performances in a frustrating true-crime story Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans are compelling, but the script needs more ballast

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Disney+ review - the Boss grows older defiantly Thom Zimny's film reels in 50 years of New Jersey's most famous export

Industry, BBC One review - bold, addictive saga about corporate culture now Third season of the tale of investment bankers reaches a satisfying climax

Rivals, Disney+ review - adultery, skulduggery and political incorrectness Back to the Eighties with Jilly Cooper's tales of the rich and infamous

Disclaimer, Apple TV+ review - a misfiring revenge saga from Alfonso Cuarón Odd casting and weak scripting aren't a temptation to keep watching

Ludwig, BBC One review - entertaining spin on the brainy detective formula David Mitchell is a perfect fit for this super-sleuth

The Hardacres, Channel 5 review - a fishy tale of upward mobility Will everyday saga of Yorkshire folk strike a popular note?

Joan, ITV1 review - the roller-coaster career of a 1980s jewel thief Brilliant performance by Sophie Turner as 'The Godmother'

The Penguin, Sky Atlantic review - power, corruption, lies and prosthetics Colin Farrell makes a beast of himself in Batman spin-off

Follow @theartsdesk