Positive thinking

Stephen Gorard, Durham University For some, the British private school system evokes images of rolling playing fields and academic excellence that can pave the way to elite university education and a prosperous life. For others, it simply cements societal injustice and inter-generational inequality. Unsurprisingly, the UK’s Labour party is now in the latter camp. And at its recent national conference, it endorsed a series of measures that would effectively see private education abolished . The proposal would see endowments – or recurrent income from past benefactors – of wealthy private schools “nationalised”. The money would then be used to help subsidise the integration of private schools into the state-funded system. Creating one system of schools for all would have many potential benefits. For a start, it might mean that more high attaining pupils, currently in private schools, would be role models for a wider range of fellow pupils. It might also help to improve so...

Chris Rolph, Nottingham Trent University   A handful of grammar schools are to receive a £50m boost to expand their pupil numbers . To qualify for the funding, schools had to submit plans on how they would try and increase the number of poorer pupils. In total, 16 grammar schools are to be given a share of the £50m selective school expansion fund to create 4,000 additional places for pupils from the poorest backgrounds, according to The Times . But the move has come under fire after it was revealed that just 2% of their pupils admitted to the grammar schools awarded the funding classify as disadvantaged. Headteachers at cash-strapped comprehensive schools also spoke out in protest – given that in real terms, per-pupil spending is in significant decline . This has led to many headteachers increasingly asking parents for cash donations , with some schools forced to cut staff. The announcement has reignited a heated debate over the merits of selection at 11+ in the E...