Grammar schools - Where We Stand Series
Grammar Schools - Where We Stand Series
The Tory muddle over Grammar schools is still in the news and some people are naturally asking what UKpopdems position is on this subject. Anyone who knows UKpopdems well will be able to take a good guess at the position the party takes on Grammar schools even though this specific issue is not totally clear in the main published points of our schools policy.
This issue is straightforward for UKpopdems and difficult for mainstream parties because all our policies come from what the people of Britain want for themselves, their families and their friends. With UKpopdems, ordinary Britons have real power and a real voice and our job is to listen to those millions of voices so we can address the key issues and needs the people really want. For schools and education the people of Britain have already told us what they expect from Ukpopdems once in government; it is to turn out well-educated, healthy and confident young adults. And that’s what our policy on schools and education is intended to deliver.
Cameron and his party’s confusion on Grammar schools and New Labour failures in education comes because they are both mired in policies that reflect their own interests and party dogma rather than the interests of real people and what they want. Because many senior politicians of left and right as well as top civil servants and other party cronies and advisers went to Britain’s very best schools, their arguments over these establishments seem the most important thing in the world to them. But Ukpopdems knows that what’s important to the vast majority of people; people like you and me, is that children of whatever ability get the best education they can from schools at all levels and in all locations. The debate on Grammar schools is unimportant and incredibly elitist considering the very few who could benefit – but they have their place and that place has value in turning out well-educated, healthy and confident young adults.
UKpopdems education policy is wide ranging, but on this one specific issue concerning the type of schooling available our policy is clear; we will utilise good schools of whatever type to achieve the peoples’ objective in education for their children. Yes, that includes Grammar schools, but more importantly, it includes strengthening the educational attainments of main-stream comprehensives, sixth form colleges and city academies as well as primary schools. And more importantly still, UKpopdems is alone in recognising the urgent need to invest properly in schools to support those who need special help. Young people who are disadvantaged, have learning difficulties for whatever reason, have disruptive problems or are struggling in some other way, have just as much right to the best possible education as those more privileged and more capable.
UKpopdems have several initiatives to improve education and the most important schools policy detail is two-fold; one, that children should have access to schools that suit their abilities; and two, that teachers’ first responsibility is to maximise the potential of every individual pupil. As is clear in our policy, UKpopdems in government will give teachers the tools, funding and the freedom to make sure this happens and, in return, we will measure their success in identifying educational needs, improving abilities and liaising with families and guardians. We do not shrink from saying this will mean careful observation, assessment and review on a continual basis by teachers themselves. Only by this means can teachers, pupils and parents become fully aware of progress and needs. This does not mean the return of 11-plus, which is seen as divisive by many, but it does mean mobility, streaming and focus to make sure pupils at all development stages get the schooling they both deserve and need to become well-educated, healthy and confident young adults.
So, yes to Grammar schools as for all schools: if pupils can benefit from the educational programmes on offer and not enough existing school places are available, then UKpopdems is committed by our policy to make sure more places are accessible, either through expansion of existing facilities or new build. There will be no dogmatic, politically correct or class led decisions. Individuals, interested groups and communities will decide and UKpopdems will ensure the funding and enabling structures are available. Funding for all UKpopdems public sector initiatives is well-developed and comes from reassigning existing back-office government expenditure to front-line resources and capital projects; releasing £20billion a year initially and rising to £100billion in the fifth year.
The Tory muddle over Grammar schools is still in the news and some people are naturally asking what UKpopdems position is on this subject. Anyone who knows UKpopdems well will be able to take a good guess at the position the party takes on Grammar schools even though this specific issue is not totally clear in the main published points of our schools policy.
This issue is straightforward for UKpopdems and difficult for mainstream parties because all our policies come from what the people of Britain want for themselves, their families and their friends. With UKpopdems, ordinary Britons have real power and a real voice and our job is to listen to those millions of voices so we can address the key issues and needs the people really want. For schools and education the people of Britain have already told us what they expect from Ukpopdems once in government; it is to turn out well-educated, healthy and confident young adults. And that’s what our policy on schools and education is intended to deliver.
Cameron and his party’s confusion on Grammar schools and New Labour failures in education comes because they are both mired in policies that reflect their own interests and party dogma rather than the interests of real people and what they want. Because many senior politicians of left and right as well as top civil servants and other party cronies and advisers went to Britain’s very best schools, their arguments over these establishments seem the most important thing in the world to them. But Ukpopdems knows that what’s important to the vast majority of people; people like you and me, is that children of whatever ability get the best education they can from schools at all levels and in all locations. The debate on Grammar schools is unimportant and incredibly elitist considering the very few who could benefit – but they have their place and that place has value in turning out well-educated, healthy and confident young adults.
UKpopdems education policy is wide ranging, but on this one specific issue concerning the type of schooling available our policy is clear; we will utilise good schools of whatever type to achieve the peoples’ objective in education for their children. Yes, that includes Grammar schools, but more importantly, it includes strengthening the educational attainments of main-stream comprehensives, sixth form colleges and city academies as well as primary schools. And more importantly still, UKpopdems is alone in recognising the urgent need to invest properly in schools to support those who need special help. Young people who are disadvantaged, have learning difficulties for whatever reason, have disruptive problems or are struggling in some other way, have just as much right to the best possible education as those more privileged and more capable.
UKpopdems have several initiatives to improve education and the most important schools policy detail is two-fold; one, that children should have access to schools that suit their abilities; and two, that teachers’ first responsibility is to maximise the potential of every individual pupil. As is clear in our policy, UKpopdems in government will give teachers the tools, funding and the freedom to make sure this happens and, in return, we will measure their success in identifying educational needs, improving abilities and liaising with families and guardians. We do not shrink from saying this will mean careful observation, assessment and review on a continual basis by teachers themselves. Only by this means can teachers, pupils and parents become fully aware of progress and needs. This does not mean the return of 11-plus, which is seen as divisive by many, but it does mean mobility, streaming and focus to make sure pupils at all development stages get the schooling they both deserve and need to become well-educated, healthy and confident young adults.
So, yes to Grammar schools as for all schools: if pupils can benefit from the educational programmes on offer and not enough existing school places are available, then UKpopdems is committed by our policy to make sure more places are accessible, either through expansion of existing facilities or new build. There will be no dogmatic, politically correct or class led decisions. Individuals, interested groups and communities will decide and UKpopdems will ensure the funding and enabling structures are available. Funding for all UKpopdems public sector initiatives is well-developed and comes from reassigning existing back-office government expenditure to front-line resources and capital projects; releasing £20billion a year initially and rising to £100billion in the fifth year.
posted by United Kingdom Popular Democratic Party at 7:06 pm
