There was, and just about still is, an element of our education sector that stimulates:
- Independence
- Thought leadership
- Choice
- High Performance
- Role Models in the Arts, Academics, Entrepreneurship and Sport
But it is hugely under threat and this is to the detriment of every child and the whole education sector.
It appears that a Government with a GCSE Grade 1 in Politics and Economics and, as a consequence a misplaced VAT policy, will deny us of all the above. The result is compromised outcomes for the most needy in our society. Helping the latter has been a lifetime’s ambition for me.
I have commented before that the wealthy will always find a way to exert their ability to choose whether it be through advanced fee payments or the crowding out high net wealth housing in areas with great state schools.
Governments should leave educational policy and educational expenditure to cross sector regional steering groups All schools should have strengthened charitable status and, have the right to raise funds externally and embrace external partnerships. Relying totally on central government revenue for education and other public services has been a thing of the past for sometime but all schools have been slow to grasp this.
Stepping away from the ideological roller coaster of education will mean school leaders will have the freedom and flexibility to respond to the needs of their communities. Although uncomfortable it i crucial the education sector is liberated from excessive ideological intervention and embraces more commercial alternatives -otherwise the needy will not have hope.
# BTG BEYOND THE GATES