The ear marked sum could then be allocated to extra curricula activities which enhance the students mental well being and enjoyment of school. As any students what they enjoyed most about school and most will soon refer at length to trips and fieldwork.
However for the alumini of public schools, holidays are spent in second homes or abroad, so these activities are not seen as important.
And to be honest, whilst a huge sum that £1.4 billion is, when divided amongst 6.73 million students aged 5-16 it does not amount to much. And without sensible planning will be soon dissipated with little advantage.
I personally believe the majority of funding should be used to increase enjoyment of learning. Visits, over night stays on farms, work experience where the emphasis is on experience rather than work – so theatres, sports clubs, art centres, and even taster courses for electricians and plumbers, etc.
The government does seem to be run by people who ‘bought’ their qualifications via public schools with small classes where students were conditioned to the passing of exams and maintaining league table positions. Do any of them have an ounce of creativity in their privileged carcasses?
doorMatt Hancock said recently he had worked very hard to ……. whatever. Cutting a lawn with scissors would be working hard – but getting a mower would be cleverer. Whether Williamson understands this concept, or even the one of hard work is debatable. Schools can be creative if allowed, and the pernicious finger of the DfE is removed.