Why does a child who qualifies for free school meals need more money spent on his / her education than a child with working parents? Surely all our children should be entitled to equality within the classroom? The same educational opportunities, resources, learning environment, standard of teaching and learning support should be available to all children, irrespective of parental income. We certainly should not be taking funding away from the schools where there are less children entitled to free meals in order to boost the schools where there are more. It seems as if the children of working parents are to be penalised for actually going out to work and earning money. Do we want to teach our children that the more you do, the less you are "entitled" to? I am not criticising any family that is on benefits, I just don't see why the children of working parents should go without in the school context to further subsidise the children who are already getting free school meals, guaranteed places in the schools of their choice and parents who can be there to pick them up from school everyday and do their homework with them.
Not sure what can be done about these proposals, but they do not seem to be fair.
Diluting their effectiveness can only harm the country's prospects in the long run and further disullusion families who already believe they are the ignored majority.