Year after year the state of education in the UK
seems to be measured by academic scores and a set of results in which schools,
colleges and universities judge themselves on. However much evidence suggests
young people continue to be judged on academic performance with less focus on
their mental health and wellbeing and nurturing the development of their
emotional intelligence. English, Maths and other academic achievements are
still seen as the key markers of success, yet since and before the Covid-19
pandemic we know young people have faced unparalleled pressures in their
personal lives, with many aspects contributing to mental health issues including
anxiety, depression, self harm and eating disorders.
We desire every child to have an easy ride
through their education, yet many young people struggle with mainstream
education due to many contributing factors. Looking at alternative provision in
the form of a pupil referral unit (PRU) designed to support young people
continue education while their complex needs are addressed.
It’s estimated that around 17,000 young people
are currently educated in PRUs, the majority are 11-16 however some see them
providing a long term solution for primary school children which is counter
progressive as PRU’s were designed for secondary school aged young people.
Students remain in PRU's for too long with poor academic progress, many PRU’S
are not providing the support suggested on the EHCP. where students require 1:1
support yet they are stuck in a class with 5-8 students to just 2 members of
staff.
In PRUs there is a greater proportion of black
pupils than in mainstream schools, as the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has
highlighted, and the schools to prison pipeline is something that is getting
worse and having an adverse effect on young black people having contact with
the CJS adding to the rising scurge in serious youth violence, knife crime and
county lines.
In 2019 the government announcement that the
management contract for the first UK “secure school” has been awarded to the
Oasis Charity Trust, reportedly this is a charity which, according to the
government, runs academies in the UK’s most socio-economically deprived and
“diverse” areas, most of which were rated as failing by Ofsted at the point of
being taken over.
The policy of merly rebranding youth institutions
as “secure schools” has raised eyebrows and allows for the public and campaign
groups to quite rightly question if this isn't plainly some form of camouflage
disguise for what in essence marks the start of the biggest youth estate
expansion in the UK CJS since the Gladstone committees report in 1895.
So it's fair to say that the state of education
in the UK needs to be measured by a mix of many metrics not just academic
results and league tables to ensure we are offering all of our young people a
fair chance, its well known education is away up the social mobility ladder and
increases life chances, enhancing the development of all.
The student experience seems to vary and
depending on the institution, diversity and representation within the workforce
which needs to be looked at, it's felt universally that every child deserves
the best we can offer through their educational years as a child.