Norfolk’s schools under threat
A campaign has started to defend the principle of free state education and local community schools. Last week, local people lobbied Westminster, as MPs debated the Government’s proposals for schools. As a city councillor and deputy leader of the Green Party, I’m concerned Norfolk’s schools may be under threat.
Education Secretary Michael Gove recently revealed that 15 schools in Norfolk have expressed an interest in becoming academies. At a recent public meeting, I was among those who spoke out against the Government’s education policy.
The meeting, organised by the Norfolk branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), marks the start of a local campaign to defend the principle of free state education and local community schools.
I argued at the meeting that academies and so called “free” schools represent a threat to the principle of free state education. Private sponsors should not be able to buy influence over schools. Under academies, private sponsors can influence the running of the school, the terms and conditions of teachers, the curriculum and the name of the school.
There is no evidence to suggest that academy status is likely to result in improved exams results – there have been mixed performances from academy schools around the country. Academies are run by managers who may have more interest in reflecting the private agendas of their funders than providing an inspiring and balanced education to their pupils.
I have long been a campaigner for free education. When I studied at UEA I clashed with Charles Clarke, the recently defeated Norwich South MP who was responsible for bringing in student top up fees as Education Secretary.
The Green Party stands for properly funded state education, all the way from nursery level through to universities. I believe education needs to be free from corporate influence. Rather than setting up new schools we should be investing in the schools we have already.
I want every local school to be a good community school and I want teachers to be free to inspire their pupils, just as my teachers inspired me. We do need to find ways to involve teachers, parents and students in the running of schools, but free schools could take us in the wrong direction and result in more segregation in society.
We need to protect the principle of community, comprehensive schools. Academy schools often lose their local community identity and free schools would be the same.
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