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Giant schools 'fuel bad behaviour'
09.04.09
SUPER-SIZED schools are fuelling bad behaviour and creating a “factory” culture in secondary education, teachers warned today.
The number of “titan schools” of more than 2,000 pupils has increased four-fold under the policy of allowing popular state secondaries to expand.
More than 50,000 children are taught in schools of more than 2,000 across England. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers called for a limit on pupil numbers.
Jean Roberts, a delegate from ATL's Brent branch, told the union's annual conference in Liverpool that pupils in some large privately-sponsored academies were “out of control”.
A Department for Children spokesman said: “It is far too simplistic to say that discipline problems are worse in larger schools.”
Reader views (6)
The problem is not the school size, it is the lack of control. My mother graduated in 1961--her graduating class was 1500 students! Yet, the teachers had the support of the schools and the parents.
- K. Tyson, Mobile, AL USA
the whole of europe's like that. who are these myopic educationists who've ruined the lives of millions.
- Beljamine, uk
Judith C - It's not just a Labour thing. The Tories in Croydon seem hell-bent on destroying good small schools and replacing them with giants, despite the wishes of parents and pupils.
- Austen, London
Government social policy moulds parents. Parents mould children. Thanks Labour!
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
"Too simplistic to say that discipline problems are worse in larger schools"says the Department for Childrens Spokesman .I would say it it blindingly obvious that huge schools were harder to control.
Where are these people coming from ?
- Grumpy As Hell, wimbledon
Jean Roberts says that pupils in large academies were "out of control". No! don't believe it! Impossible! hot-air Brown, his predecessor Bliar, Balls and associated freaks in government would never have allowed this to happen -- surely?? It must be the Tories' fault for..well, just for existing. Isn't that enough?
- Judith C, London, UK
