Boarding schools for “looked after children”

Cllr. David Potts suggests offering high quality education

I’ve been thinking about Cllr. Potts’ idea for sending South Tyneside children in the care of the local authority to boarding schools as (a) an option for offering improved academic standards and (b) a cost reduction exercise.

Bearing in mind that the Conservative councillor for Cleadon Village and East Boldon is only making a proposal, which may gain greater popularity in areas away from South Tyneside, it is worth applauding him for bothering to think about new radical ideas if nothing else. Personally I would rather younger children are brought up in a family environment more in keeping with (or better than) what they are used to. Older children may appreciate the proposed option as a personal choice, although I wouldn’t be keen on making it on their behalf. It also needs to be remembered that the biological parents often have visiting rights to take into account.

Any options which offer responsible choices at affordable prices are worth considering, particularly if the educational establishment is one with a proven record for quality.

No need to dismiss the proposal out of hand, but no need to set it in stone either.