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Blunkett school plans 'could end Balkanisation of education' Blunkett school plans 'could end Balkanisation of education'
(about 3 hours later)
Labour's proposal to devolve power over academies and free schools to a network of local school commissioners has been praised as ending the Balkanisation of education in England, although critics warn that the commissioners could eventually kill off local authority involvement in schools.Labour's proposal to devolve power over academies and free schools to a network of local school commissioners has been praised as ending the Balkanisation of education in England, although critics warn that the commissioners could eventually kill off local authority involvement in schools.
The proposals, laid out in a report by the former education secretary, David Blunkett, would make academies and free schools accountable to the commissioners – known as school standards directors – who would be appointed by local authorities.The proposals, laid out in a report by the former education secretary, David Blunkett, would make academies and free schools accountable to the commissioners – known as school standards directors – who would be appointed by local authorities.
The plans also reaffirm Labour's policies on requiring state school teachers to have appropriate qualifications, and would extend the freedom enjoyed by academies and free schools, including the setting up of school timetables, to all state schools.The plans also reaffirm Labour's policies on requiring state school teachers to have appropriate qualifications, and would extend the freedom enjoyed by academies and free schools, including the setting up of school timetables, to all state schools.
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "As it stands this report is not a decisive enough break with coalition policy." She called for the role of local government to be revitalised.Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "As it stands this report is not a decisive enough break with coalition policy." She called for the role of local government to be revitalised.
"Creating new bodies above the local authority could be a recipe for confusion. The key role local authorities play in the support system for schools, and their role in securing democratic accountability, service provision and efficiency should not be undermined," Blower said."Creating new bodies above the local authority could be a recipe for confusion. The key role local authorities play in the support system for schools, and their role in securing democratic accountability, service provision and efficiency should not be undermined," Blower said.
In contrast, Jonathan Simons, head of education at the Policy Exchange think tank, said the plans for commissioners were likely to be a "death knell" for local authorities.
"Put all of these together, and it is difficult to see much remaining education role for local authorities at all. Blunkett has examined them, and found them wanting," Simons said.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said more detail was needed regarding the relationship between the standards directors and local authorities and government. "We should have a single education system with diverse forms of provision, not deep divisions between school types, so this is to be welcomed," Hobby said.Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said more detail was needed regarding the relationship between the standards directors and local authorities and government. "We should have a single education system with diverse forms of provision, not deep divisions between school types, so this is to be welcomed," Hobby said.
Hobby said the NAHT had been nervous about proposals giving parents greater influence in hiring and sacking headteachers. However, this had not appeared to have been borne out by Blunkett's recommendations.Hobby said the NAHT had been nervous about proposals giving parents greater influence in hiring and sacking headteachers. However, this had not appeared to have been borne out by Blunkett's recommendations.
"We believe strong school leadership cannot be a popularity contest – difficult decisions must sometimes be made. However, the fleshed-out details are a long way from the original headlines about parents sacking heads," Hobby said."We believe strong school leadership cannot be a popularity contest – difficult decisions must sometimes be made. However, the fleshed-out details are a long way from the original headlines about parents sacking heads," Hobby said.
The Department for Education responded to the proposals, saying free schools and academies were already "held more rigorously to account" than local authority-maintained schools.The Department for Education responded to the proposals, saying free schools and academies were already "held more rigorously to account" than local authority-maintained schools.
"We have consistently demonstrated that we take quick and decisive action if children are being denied the education they deserve – no matter what type of school they attend."We have consistently demonstrated that we take quick and decisive action if children are being denied the education they deserve – no matter what type of school they attend.
"In contrast, local authorities have presided over schools which have been in special measures year on year and done nothing – there are 40 council-run schools that have been in special measures for 18 months or longer.""In contrast, local authorities have presided over schools which have been in special measures year on year and done nothing – there are 40 council-run schools that have been in special measures for 18 months or longer."
The set of policies proposed by Blunkett gives 40 recommendations that have been accepted by the shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt.The set of policies proposed by Blunkett gives 40 recommendations that have been accepted by the shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt.
The report recommends creation of temporary "education incubation zones" to help raise standards and allow groups of schools to join community trusts. It also calls for an end to the ability of some schools to opt out of local admissions codes and the policy prescription that any new school must be an academy or free school.The report recommends creation of temporary "education incubation zones" to help raise standards and allow groups of schools to join community trusts. It also calls for an end to the ability of some schools to opt out of local admissions codes and the policy prescription that any new school must be an academy or free school.
Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said that after enduring years of reform teachers would be sceptical about the bodies proposed by Blunkett, such as the incubation zones.Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said that after enduring years of reform teachers would be sceptical about the bodies proposed by Blunkett, such as the incubation zones.
She warned that the school standards directors would need to avoid "putting Ofsted-like pressure on schools to conform to the latest political fad".She warned that the school standards directors would need to avoid "putting Ofsted-like pressure on schools to conform to the latest political fad".
"The government needs to spend time building a consensus with the profession, which is open to innovation and improvements, rather than dictating changes from a position of ignorance," she said."The government needs to spend time building a consensus with the profession, which is open to innovation and improvements, rather than dictating changes from a position of ignorance," she said.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, was an enthusiastic supporter of the proposals, saying children had suffered as a consequence of "an ideological obsession" to create a free market in education.Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, was an enthusiastic supporter of the proposals, saying children had suffered as a consequence of "an ideological obsession" to create a free market in education.
"Serious faultlines have now appeared across the education landscape which mean that children's entitlement to a local school place, fair admissions, a national curriculum and [tuition from] qualified teachers are at the mercy of individual education providers," Keates said."Serious faultlines have now appeared across the education landscape which mean that children's entitlement to a local school place, fair admissions, a national curriculum and [tuition from] qualified teachers are at the mercy of individual education providers," Keates said.