Parents are now in driving seat
HAVING been a Bristol school governor for almost a quarter of a century and with a sister who has been a teacher since graduation, I am far from starry-eyed over the strictures placed upon the teaching profession and the culture of targets.
Nevertheless, the news that Bristol's secondary school pupils have recently secured the fifth year of rises in attainment levels is very welcome after so many years of under-achievement.
May I also take this opportunity to say how excellent many of the educational polices of Michael Gove MP are in tackling the root causes of 'fashionable' under-performance and unapologetically ratcheting up standards?
It is particularly inspiring that Mr Gove has promised further reforms designed to boost standards.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Although he has now modified earlier proposals to replace the GCSE qualification, it is encouraging to see he is determined to uphold sound teaching and promote a more rigorous regime for academic measurements.
Mr Gove has also put parents, rather than trendy educationalists, in the driving-seat through the creation of free schools and by encouraging the expansion of academies.
Interestingly, I understand that there are even to be some new grammar school places created for the first time in 50 years (through the expansion of individual schools).
Personally, given this sector's perennial success in national league tables, is it really too much to ask for the next logical step to be taken with the re-introduction of selection on the basis of ability?
Cllr Richard Eddy
Conservative Councillor, Bishopsworth
Comments
by ogeron
Monday, February 25 2013, 12:20PM
“Five years of rising attainment, yet Mr Gove has been in office for less than three years. Any rise is due to the policies of the last government which are still working their way through the system. The time to judge Mr Gove will be after a complete cohort has passed through the school system from reception to year 11, and then on their attainment beyond that. I suspect that the sound knowledge of kings and queens of England that he wishes to instill will have little attraction for employers in the 2020's.”