The potential for education to change the world is something no-one will argue about. The only question we seem to be asking at the moment is which young people deserve a great education through Free Schools or Academies. Bizarre really, because we have the potential and we have the knowledge and the toolkit to give every child in this country a brilliant education; one that enables them to achieve their potential and achieve extraordinary results. And where is this toolkit? It is in pieces across the country and the clever thing would be to collect these pieces of magic and then make it the universal offer to every child and every young person. And of course the people who will make this happen are the countless colleagues working day-in day-out in schools across the country and not just those who are part of Teach First, Free Schools or Academy movements. What Teach First, Free Schools and Academy gives us is proof that we can do this and real evidence of what we can achieve given the passion, commitment, determination, persistence and sheer hard work. The challenge is that, since every child matters and every young person not engaged in learning represents a huge waste of talent and potential, how do we drive excellence everywhere and build world class learning as an entitlement for all.
Chris
Nice sentiments but I'm sure you may read Melissa Benns book and realise that the marketisation of schools is exacerbating the unequal and segregated society in which we live. Many teachers like my self have worked within the constraints of a diminished comprehensive principle and continue to have an effect but let's not fool ourselves that the school system is fair. Quality for all not pseudo choice for the middle classes to get a better return for their tax
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