School vs State - The Big Debate

Dickens Social Reporters

Now unto the topic of education; more specifically, the grave Grammar debate. Before you all groan with boredom at the thought of the topic, I first ask, in all seriousness, how many of us have fallen victim to stereotypical views of various education systems?

Thoughts such as private schools being filled with spoilt posh brats, only super smart sensible students attend grammar schools (a.k.a nerds), boy's schools are better than girl’s and most billionaires are college drop outs etc. etc. the list goes on. How far do these cliché views stem from the truth? The conflicting opinions leave one asking, is the education system of selective schools fair or not???

The Facts

Havering fortunately boasts a range of secondary schools, with twenty-one institutes scattered all over the borough. From specific gender to mixed, from parochial schools to independent academies, Havering has it all...all but a grammar school. Parents that wish for their children to go to grammar selective schools therefore apply for schools outside the borough, but with various travel issues, changes with catchment areas, costs for 11+ preparation and changes in exam/registration date, some ask is it truly worth it?

Research shows that 57% of all Havering secondary schools had results of 65% of their pupils achieving five GCSES A*-C. 19.05% secondary schools however, had over 80% of their pupil's achieve a minimum five GCSEs A-C, defying the stereotype that comprehensive schools are vary poor compared to grammar. However in the top 20 secondary schools in England, (for best GCSE results), approximately 85% are selective schools.

The views

An argument can be made that selective schools provide an equal opportunity for all children, regardless of their social status, to have access to specialised education.

However grammar schools are not evenly dispersed around the United Kingdom, giving some children an unfair advantage in gaining entry to a specific school.

It can also be argued that the environment and resources of grammar schools help boost the individual performance of students.

On the other hand the system of the 11+ has been criticised due to the fact that children are pressured from a young age and failure results in a psychological effects. Also late bloomers with future potential are not considered with the exam.

Good or Bad

Within the story hard times, Dickens portrays the educative system of his times as being an imagination-less, creativity droning process. The character Mr. Gradgrind the head of education in Coketown, is portrayed as an antagonist with a strict view of education. His children, who are raised victim to his fact-only ideology, live a happiness derived life whilst the character Sissy and her children, ''fancy'' people that do not fall in line with Mr. Gradgrinds desired education are the novels ultimate heroes. SO, what does this say about the English education in general? Has the system evolved accepting all people regardless of their social/financial status? Will it ever?

Conclusion

Overall it cannot be disputed that the rate of success of each school throughout all time depends on the talents and potential of the individual. The drive to succeed trumps all therefore regardless of school one should always strive to achieve the best.

Food Banks in Havering

The Foodbank at Harold Hill was set up in January 2012.  Since then it has helped out more than 1000 people.

It was set up as a new charity by volunteers from the local community who saw that there was a need for it in their area.

All sorts of people are using the Foodbank, including single people, families, the elderly, working people and people on benefits.

People can need the support of the Foodbank for a variety of reasons, such as their benefit has been delayed, their income is very low, they have just received a big bill or even because of situations such as domestic violence.

  

40 organisations around the borough hold vouchers that they can give to people who they think are in need of the services of the Foodbank.  They would then take this voucher along and exchange it for a supply of emergency food for them and their family for 3 days.

Organisations involved include churches, schools, Job Centres, Citizens Advice Bureau and Social Services.

People can use the services of the Foodbank up to 3 times.  All clients are welcomed with a cup of tea while they fill out paperwork etc and they are made to feel at ease and comfortable.  Obviously for many it is a very stressful and upsetting time.  Everyone will be offered help to try and find a way through their current situation.  Help such as debt counselling or budgeting skills.

The food is donated from 80 local organisations and individual people, including supermarkets, churches and schools.

The Foodbank is run by a large group of volunteers.  They are from local churches, retired local people or even former clients of the foodbank.  

The website is http://haroldhill.foodbank.org.uk  if you would like to find out more or make a donation.  The list of items currently on the shopping list on the website is quite small, due to a surplus of some items already in stock.  At the moment they have an endless supply of baked beans!

The worrying thing is that the demand for the services of the Foodbank is continuing to grow.  And it is likely to continue growing with the changes in benefit entitlement about to come in to force.

Other worries include how the Foodbank continues to meet its operating costs and its overheads.  And to cap it all, the lease is about to run out on their current premises and at the moment they don’t know where they will go next.

It feels wrong that in the 21^st century people are going hungry in our local communities and that the services of charities such as the Harold Hill Foodbank is needed.  But admiration should go to the volunteers who are running this service and are trying to do something about it.

Foodbanks are also operating in the Collier Row and Rainham areas of Havering.