Beacon schools' practice criticised

Pressure on beacon schools in England to produce good SATS results and reach Government targets is jeopardising the quality of their early years provision, a leading early years organisation has claimed. The criticism was made at the AGM of the National Campaign for Nursery Education (NCNE) in London. Delegates passed a resolution urging the Government 'to monitor carefully the primary schools proposed for beacon status, to ensure that nursery and reception class practice within the school is fully consistent with the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage, and is providing a model of good indoor and outdoor learning and teaching...