Prime Minister’s speech on Education White Paper

24 October 2005

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech, Steve Sinnott, NUT General Secretary, said:

“The Government’s proposals will lead to chaos in admissions and planning grid lock.  Its obsession with choice ignores the fact that parents operate on a far from level playing field. It is pandering to the pushy middle classes at the expense of children in less advantaged circumstances.

“Allowing parents to set up schools regardless of existing capacity in an area will undermine provision for all. But where are these parents going to come from? Currently too few are willing to serve as school governors let alone establish and run new schools.

“What parents want is high quality education from their local school.

“The idea that the Government is promoting new freedoms for schools belies the reality of its proposals. Schools will be replacing local authority support with increased central control. In any case, the freedom to become a foundation school has existed since 1997 and few schools have been interested in going down that road.

“The idea of employers setting up schools to meet their own perceived skill shortages contradicts the purpose of education and creates a service which is about fitting each child to meet the needs of that employer. It won’t help young people adapt to the changing economic and commercial base of this country.

“Mr Blair’s proposals seem to be based on his view of London schools, ignoring the needs of children and parents in our towns, rural areas, and other cities.

“A period of calm would be more welcome in our schools than yet another period of change. Schools have faced initiative after initiative for almost 20 years and rarely is there a chance for one initiative to bed down before another comes along.”