Editor's view

Ofsted's new report into children's experiences of education at age six in England, Denmark and Finland is bound to stir up the debate about school starting age once more (see News, page 4). Sure enough, it found that much more emphasis is put on personal and social development and oral and listening skills in the Scandinavian countries, where children do not start school proper until at least the age of six. Ofsted has been careful to point out that it is not taking sides in any debate by publishing the report, but it provides further evidence that this issue needs...