The Boy on Top
Good summary - and I agree with every word!
I don't entirely agree. For one thing, DC has not 'denounced' grammar schools, he doesn't intend to reintroduce them where they have been taken away. This is not because he doesn't think they are good schools.
I think the Labour government that abolished grammar schools completely betrayed the 'working class' (I really hate class stereotypes) people who elected them, by taking away an excellent type of school that gave real opportunities to poorer children. However, this was done more than 35 years ago and you can't just turn the clock back to a golden age.
It might be possible to have selective schools in large towns and cities, but our local high school serves two small towns. You could have two schools of 500 pupils each, but they would be more expensive to run, at least one would have to be newly built and it would, in this more egalitarian age, be seen as divisive.
Many high schools do put children in sets, they are expected to differentiate the work for those of different ability and Ofsted checks on this.
The real way of bringing about improvement would be if the wealthy 'middle classes' helped to improve the state schools, by sending their children to them, by joining the PTA and fundraising and by becoming school governors.
I don't mean this as a dig at you, of course, and I'm sure that you won't take it as one. And I'm quite shocked to learn that your children continue to be tested to stay in their schools. I think this is too much pressure on children who are already constantly tested by a government which thinks a pig will grow faster if you weigh it more often.
I don't agree with your assessment of DC. He's playing a dangerous game, with double blinds hiding his meaning. He refuses to use the word "selection", but talks of streaming and specialist academies. He has also clearly denounced Grammars, not in what they achieved, but as an ideal to aspire to.
I do take your point on middle class parents deserting the state school system being part of the problem. There is truth in that. By the same token asking a parent to risk their child's education and future for the benefit of other children is a no win request. All it does is make people feel guitly, yet won't change thier behaviour.
Speaking personally I've been to our two local state schools, and I just would not send my children to either of them. No amount of my personal effort would counter the systemic problems I saw. If I was joined by 50 other parents, perhaps, but there's the prisoners dilema.
As to continued testing in our private schools, its not as bad as it sounds, and is based around similar SAT testing at the core stages. The hurdle is at moving from junior to senior school. The schools are also good at helping children they don't think will make the mark prepare and find appropriate alternatives TB
I'm not assessing DC, I have no idea whether there's any substance to him at all. Nor am I sticking up for him, just acknowledging that what he says makes practical sense. After all, if Margaret Thatcher didn't try to recreate grammar schools, there's little chance that David Cameron would be able to, even if he did want to.
Most of the high schools round here are 'specialist academies/colleges' already. It's pretty meaningless in most cases.
Two of my children went to private schools, by the way, I'm not anti... the third (several years later) stayed at the local schools because they were good ones. We have made a lot of effort to support them, and we have, personally, made a difference.
I'm not actually trashing DC either. I think he's the best hope for the conservatives to be re-elected. Many of the policies coming out of his review teams are sound and with depth. Education is the one area I think he's floundering on. It appears to be no more than a polish up of the labour policy, and that's not good enough. He also seems to be playing to the electorate, and though some of that's needed, he's better to stick to clear soundly articulated policy.
We are definately not argueing Z, nor is any offence given or taken! I know if I applied myself I could make a difference to a local school. I just don't believe I could make enough of a difference fast enough that my children would not be harmed or held back by the current status quo. I won't risk them. Bizarely for me, if we were in Canada I wouldn't even be having the internal debate. The private schools are few and far between and the standard of the state schools is very high. I know, I came through it. TB
Honey, we're not disagreeing, are we. I'm just old and grumpy and pragmatic.
I went to a really rubbish private school and I wish I'd been to the local grammar school.
thanks for not taking offence. xx
Dear, I've been insulted by experts and not taken offence. You were stating a point of view, one that I don't entirely disagree with. No offence taken in the least! TB
Commenting by HaloScan
