GO COMPREHENSIVE _A PLAN FOR HULL.* By J.C.D.
Lat The teachers of Hull are to be congratulated for taking the initive in preparing a scheme for the re-organisation of the whole of the educational system on comprehensive lines in Hull. They have done so in a way which though it will necessarily entail quite a deal of movement of staff and even of pupils, can be accomplished within the ordinary limits of school building. They believe that their scheme could be implemented fully within two years.
However, they are sugresting a fairly fundamental change in the general structure of education. They reject the idea of changing the age of entrance into the infant school but want the children on entry to stay in their first school, which they call a primary school for four years up to the age of nine. At the age of nine they will transfer to the Junior High School from whence they will move onwards to the Senior High School. Notice that 2t no stage do they suggest the introduction of the sclective Trinciple though their reason for making the age of transfer at the ase of thirteen is not only because of the building space available but because they believe that "as a matter of principle all Senior Hizh Schools should be able to offer @ comprehensive range of subjects carable of being taken to '0! level and in the case of some subjects to 'Atlevel! Unfortunately the existence of the C.S.E. will prove to be a yarticular thorn in the flesh for this type of organisation, and transfer at the age of thirteen will at least insulate 2ll children from the pressure of public external examinations until the Senior Hizh School stage.
I am not sure whether this is the best plan for Hull. I think it is a brave one, and because we stand in need of a change, I do hope it is tried.
*Published by the Hull ยง.T.A., 22, Victoria Ave., price 9d post paid.