As the full text of the Tory-Lib coalition policy framework was announced this afternoon we noticed some subtle shifts from the Tory manifesto on education. Yet the headline is that, out of a 3,000 word document only 60 words (2%) are devoted to schools policy; it seems that there are many other areas the parties can agree on more easily than education, and that it may take a back seat for the first year.

Schools
We will fund a significant premium for disadvantaged pupils from outside the schools budget by reductions in spending elsewhere.

We agree to promote the reform of schools in order to ensure:

• that new providers can enter the state school system in response to parental demand;
• that all schools have greater freedom over curriculum;
• and, that all schools are held properly accountable.

With a Tory education secretary in Michael Gove, his pet policy of independently run state schools is likely to go ahead, but there is no detail on what terms these would be run. The move to more school budgetary and curriculum independence is likely to increase, but without major overhauls.

Although money ‘from outside the schools budget’ is promised, this doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be cuts within it. There is certainly no commitment to spending increases.

Ben Barton, who advised the Tory party on aspects of their schools policy, has found in the finer analysis that there are many areas for broad agreement. The clearest of these are to promote Separate Sciences and MFL at GCSE, expand Teach First and give Head Teachers more control over pay.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 at 4:14 pm and is filed under Education Policy, UK teaching. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.