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State boarding schools have called on the government to provide “urgent clarity and support” over Brexit.
The Boarding Schools’ Association’s State Boarding Forum has written to schools minister Lord Agnew warning that losing EU students “will be a threat to the viability of boarding at many state boarding schools and a significant loss of revenues and in some cases local jobs”.
Robin Fletcher, chief executive of the association, said: “Of the 5,500 boarders at state boarding schools, around 10 per cent are from the EU.
"The draft Immigration Bill makes no reference to the status of these EU boarders and we therefore call on the government to provide urgent clarity and support for our members.”
The association’s state boarding forum, which represents around 40 English state schools, says that it also has practical concerns about students from the European Economic Area (EEA) who are currently in England.
In its letter, it calls for the government to “set out as soon as possible what arrangements you will be making to help state boarding schools through this complex and difficult process.”
Read more at: https://www.tes.com/news/brexit-boarding-schools-call-clarity-eu-pupils-status
Private school head urges pushy parents to stop complaining when their children are disciplined
The headmaster of a private school has urged pushy parents to stop protesting whenever their children are disciplined.
Bruce Grindlay said too many mothers and fathers are ‘immediately challenging’ punishments dealt out for bad behaviour at Sutton Valence School in Kent. He blames it on a culture of parents ‘wanting to be friends’ with their children.
He said the problem has got so bad that teachers are avoiding imposing sanctions because they fear ‘unpleasant repercussions’ from parents. Many are having to spend their spare time dealing with the complaints rather than preparing lessons.
In a letter sent to families on Monday, Mr Grindlay urged them not to always believe a child’s version of events.
Mr Grindlay has asked parents to stop contacting teachers to complain and instead make an appointment to see him.
He said in his letter: ‘We are all trying to do what is best for your child. Please can I ask you to not always believe your child’s version of events? ‘Children will get things wrong and that is fine if they learn from it.'