Only a small number of Swindon students received top A-level grades this year, putting the town among the lowest ranked education authorities in England. But even though exams were cancelled and their education was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, a higher number of pupils than last year managed to achieve AAB grades. It followed a government U-turn that allowed them to choose between their predicted grades or ones calculated by an algorithm. And the education charity the Sutton Trust said the regional inequalities seen in the marks suggest that some pupils may have been disadvantaged by their postcode, calling the issue the new frontier of inequality.
CHILDREN on free school meals will be given a £30 voucher to cover the fortnight-long Christmas break.
Swindon Borough Council was given almost £625,000 by the government after a U-turn following a national campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford. Coun Russell Holland said every child who is eligible for free school meals will be allocated a £30 voucher for the Christmas holidays. Younger children who receive free early years funding will also receive a voucher and the council has funds for families needing emergency help. “We re really pleased to be able to provide this help. Hopefully this will provide some help to families who may be struggling or on lower incomes. It may help them with their budget planning and provide some reassurance for them,” the Conservative councillor told the BBC on Tuesday.
Mum-of-two starts campaign to end bullying in school in Swindon swindonadvertiser.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from swindonadvertiser.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.