The study centred on areas of deprivation in London, south-east England and the Midlands. In these areas children were in competition with others for secondary school places, said report author Susie Weller. "A child's last year at primary school is viewed as a stressful and challenging time for many families," she said. "The current focus of British education policy on parental choice means that children are in competition with one another for places at well-resourced schools. "This often means that relationships such as friendship are sidelined and little attention has been given to the positive and constructive resources and experiences such networks can provide."
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