Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 12/01/2012 - 12:33
Read Trevor Fisher's discussion paper below on the illusory nature of Gove's autonomy and contribute to the debate on this vital issue. Contact us via the website if you want your views on this subject published.
THE MYTH OF SCHOOL AUTONOMY
Centralisation as the determinant of English educational politics
Submitted by Martin Dore on Wed, 30/11/2011 - 10:15
The passing of the Gove education Act, giving the Secretary of State 50 new powers, went almost unnoticed by the British media. Handing over dictatorial powers to one politician seems wholly acceptable to the Metropolitan media. The BBC in particular has been uncritical about Gove to an Orwellian degree, particularly over his Free Schools policy. As George Orwell found in the Spanish Civil War, questioning the Party line for many journalists is becoming impossible.
Submitted by Martin Dore on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 11:27
Foreword: The wider perspective
We are grateful for this opportunity to help shape Labour education policy. We have gone beyond the four questions asked in order to help differentiate Labour party education policy enough from current government policy.
The government has frequently referred to the new Diplomas as the most important development in education since 1902. The reason would seem to be that it is an attempt finally to bridge the divide between the academic track for some and the vocational track for others. The Diplomas aim to "combine classroom learning with practical hands-on experience" – and provide the kind of qualification most appropriate for a comprehensive system of education.
In his comments on the Anti Academies Alliance position on trust schools, Martin Doré said that ‘It would be very helpful to our cause if a distilled version of the key components of a good framework for local democracy were included in our campaign materials. The SEA would thus be able to counter claims that we merely and solely oppose every new development in education.’ I’d like to suggest some ideas for such a framework, beginning with 7 premises.
