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Factcheck: Tory manifesto claims on schools don’t add up Factcheck: Tory manifesto claims on schools don’t add up
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A festival of fact-checking presents itself as we turn to the education section of the Conservatives’ manifesto. Packed into the document’s first two pages on schools reform are a host of contentious claims. Sadly, by contrast, the Labour document is a bit light on facts that can be scrutinised.A festival of fact-checking presents itself as we turn to the education section of the Conservatives’ manifesto. Packed into the document’s first two pages on schools reform are a host of contentious claims. Sadly, by contrast, the Labour document is a bit light on facts that can be scrutinised.
“The number of pupils studying the core academic subjects at GCSE had halved [under the Labour government],” the Conservative manifesto states, before boasting of having “brought high standards back to teaching”.“The number of pupils studying the core academic subjects at GCSE had halved [under the Labour government],” the Conservative manifesto states, before boasting of having “brought high standards back to teaching”.
Fair enough is the first response, given that the GCSE statement is based on official data on the numbers studying all of the EBacc subjects: English, maths, science, a language and history or geography. But closer analysis shows half of the subjects counting towards the EBacc actually saw GCSE entries grow between 1997 and 2010, with the fall in the figure quoted by the Tories driven almost entirely by the collapse in numbers studying French or German after Labour’s 2002 decision to make languages optional. So the problem is a bit more specific than the manifesto suggests.Fair enough is the first response, given that the GCSE statement is based on official data on the numbers studying all of the EBacc subjects: English, maths, science, a language and history or geography. But closer analysis shows half of the subjects counting towards the EBacc actually saw GCSE entries grow between 1997 and 2010, with the fall in the figure quoted by the Tories driven almost entirely by the collapse in numbers studying French or German after Labour’s 2002 decision to make languages optional. So the problem is a bit more specific than the manifesto suggests.
“Nearly 800 of the worst-performing schools have been taken over by experienced academy sponsors with a proven track record of success,” reports the manifesto. But three of the largest primary sponsors – Academies Enterprise Trust, the Kemnal Academies Trust and E-Act – have faced critical reports from Ofsted following investigations.“Nearly 800 of the worst-performing schools have been taken over by experienced academy sponsors with a proven track record of success,” reports the manifesto. But three of the largest primary sponsors – Academies Enterprise Trust, the Kemnal Academies Trust and E-Act – have faced critical reports from Ofsted following investigations.
We could go on – are free schools always being “set up and run by local people”, as the document claims, rather than by academy chains? – but, alas, we’ve run out of space.We could go on – are free schools always being “set up and run by local people”, as the document claims, rather than by academy chains? – but, alas, we’ve run out of space.
Bristol Tory candidate raises heads’ hacklesBristol Tory candidate raises heads’ hackles
Headteachers in Bristol are fuming after a Conservative election candidate wrote of her plans to help set up a free school “so that children do not have to travel to school across or outside the city to access the best standards.”Headteachers in Bristol are fuming after a Conservative election candidate wrote of her plans to help set up a free school “so that children do not have to travel to school across or outside the city to access the best standards.”
The leaders of the seven secondary schools in the South Bristol constituency have written to Isobel Grant accusing her of presenting a “distorted, inaccurate” view after the statement in her election pamphlet, which also said “the best schools should not all be in the north [of Bristol]”.The leaders of the seven secondary schools in the South Bristol constituency have written to Isobel Grant accusing her of presenting a “distorted, inaccurate” view after the statement in her election pamphlet, which also said “the best schools should not all be in the north [of Bristol]”.
The letter points out that all secondary schools in South Bristol, which has some of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods, are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. “We are proud of our schools, our young people, our staff and our governors,” they write. “We would expect a candidate for our MP to be proud, too, and challenge other people who may have misconceptions.” One headteacher said there was no shortage of school places locally, so a free school would not be a good use of money.The letter points out that all secondary schools in South Bristol, which has some of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods, are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. “We are proud of our schools, our young people, our staff and our governors,” they write. “We would expect a candidate for our MP to be proud, too, and challenge other people who may have misconceptions.” One headteacher said there was no shortage of school places locally, so a free school would not be a good use of money.
Late last week, Grant, who needs all the votes she can muster in this safe Labour seat, wrote to the headteachers to apologise. “I have only got positive things to say about schools in South Bristol, and no implied criticism is intended in my leaflets,” she said, thanking the heads for inviting her to visit. She might face a frosty reception.Late last week, Grant, who needs all the votes she can muster in this safe Labour seat, wrote to the headteachers to apologise. “I have only got positive things to say about schools in South Bristol, and no implied criticism is intended in my leaflets,” she said, thanking the heads for inviting her to visit. She might face a frosty reception.
Banbury cross: academy plans anger councilBanbury cross: academy plans anger council
Oxfordshire county council is in the midst of a major row with an academy trust over the admissions policies of one school, with a senior Conservative councillor accusing the chain of trying to deny future places to at least 400 local pupils.Oxfordshire county council is in the midst of a major row with an academy trust over the admissions policies of one school, with a senior Conservative councillor accusing the chain of trying to deny future places to at least 400 local pupils.
The council says Banbury academy, run by the Aspirations Academies Trust, must abide by the terms of its funding agreement – the legal contract with ministers under which it was set up – which states that its capacity is for 1,953 pupils. Yet a document setting out Banbury’s admissions policy for 2016 puts the school’s capacity at only 1,550. In a letter to the regional schools commissioner for the area, Martin Post, Conservative councillor Michael Waine, who chairs a local group on school admissions, says Aspirations is trying “[to] artificially restrict the amount of pupils it is prepared to admit”.The council says Banbury academy, run by the Aspirations Academies Trust, must abide by the terms of its funding agreement – the legal contract with ministers under which it was set up – which states that its capacity is for 1,953 pupils. Yet a document setting out Banbury’s admissions policy for 2016 puts the school’s capacity at only 1,550. In a letter to the regional schools commissioner for the area, Martin Post, Conservative councillor Michael Waine, who chairs a local group on school admissions, says Aspirations is trying “[to] artificially restrict the amount of pupils it is prepared to admit”.
Aspirations argues that the drop in capacity has been caused by the creation last September of a “studio school” on the academy site, using buildings designed for 748 pupils to house just 300. It says a new version of its funding agreement is being agreed with the government.Aspirations argues that the drop in capacity has been caused by the creation last September of a “studio school” on the academy site, using buildings designed for 748 pupils to house just 300. It says a new version of its funding agreement is being agreed with the government.
But Banbury is experiencing population pressure, partly fuelled by a new housing development, writes Waine. Allowing Banbury to operate under capacity while the expansion of other schools has to be paid for would be a “colossal waste of public money”.But Banbury is experiencing population pressure, partly fuelled by a new housing development, writes Waine. Allowing Banbury to operate under capacity while the expansion of other schools has to be paid for would be a “colossal waste of public money”.
A report presented by the council to its school organisation stakeholders group also argues that Banbury academy’s plans to introduce new “fair banding” tests for pupils entering from next year are not compliant with admissions and equalities legislation.A report presented by the council to its school organisation stakeholders group also argues that Banbury academy’s plans to introduce new “fair banding” tests for pupils entering from next year are not compliant with admissions and equalities legislation.
In a statement, Aspirations says: “Clearly opening an innovative new school [the studio school], with the requirement for hall space, communal areas, offices and science labs, means that the new school takes up more capacity than the classrooms it replaced.”In a statement, Aspirations says: “Clearly opening an innovative new school [the studio school], with the requirement for hall space, communal areas, offices and science labs, means that the new school takes up more capacity than the classrooms it replaced.”
The academy trust adds that its 2016 admissions policy is legally compliant. “The local authority were considered to have failed [Banbury’s] predecessor school and we are now turning round [its] fortunes.”The academy trust adds that its 2016 admissions policy is legally compliant. “The local authority were considered to have failed [Banbury’s] predecessor school and we are now turning round [its] fortunes.”
Big casualty in east London school sagaBig casualty in east London school saga
The saga of who should run one of south London’s largest local authority comprehensives took what for his supporters was a sad twist last week, as its headteacher resigned.The saga of who should run one of south London’s largest local authority comprehensives took what for his supporters was a sad twist last week, as its headteacher resigned.
Ken Mackenzie is to stand down as head of Sedgehill school in Lewisham after its interim executive board – controversially installed in January by the local authority – announced the appointment of a new “chief executive”, Julia Scannell, to take over.Ken Mackenzie is to stand down as head of Sedgehill school in Lewisham after its interim executive board – controversially installed in January by the local authority – announced the appointment of a new “chief executive”, Julia Scannell, to take over.
Mackenzie’s position had appeared vulnerable at Christmas, after Lewisham – citing concerns about the school’s results – pushed ahead with plans to sack governors and have the school run in partnership with Bethnal Green academy in east London.Mackenzie’s position had appeared vulnerable at Christmas, after Lewisham – citing concerns about the school’s results – pushed ahead with plans to sack governors and have the school run in partnership with Bethnal Green academy in east London.
After Christmas, Bethnal Green pulled out of the deal, seemingly in the face of an 1,800-signature petition supporting Mackenzie and the former governing body, with campaigners also fearful that the school was being pushed towards academy status. That concern still exists.After Christmas, Bethnal Green pulled out of the deal, seemingly in the face of an 1,800-signature petition supporting Mackenzie and the former governing body, with campaigners also fearful that the school was being pushed towards academy status. That concern still exists.
Wiltshire’s thank you for the music and goodbyeWiltshire’s thank you for the music and goodbye
Finally, more than 5,000 people have signed a petition against the abolition of Wiltshire county council’s music service, which has provided instrumental tuition and run ensembles for generations of pupils. The service is being scrapped from September, with the reported loss of 76 music teachers and 10 administrative jobs. This is in a bid to make a £247,000 saving as the council faces a £30m budget shortfall.Finally, more than 5,000 people have signed a petition against the abolition of Wiltshire county council’s music service, which has provided instrumental tuition and run ensembles for generations of pupils. The service is being scrapped from September, with the reported loss of 76 music teachers and 10 administrative jobs. This is in a bid to make a £247,000 saving as the council faces a £30m budget shortfall.
Wiltshire says schools will still be able to employ self-employed music teachers directly, with a new “music hub” taking the lead in overseeing provision. But the service’s supporters argue that provision will decline, with the move especially hard on lower- and middle-income families and rural schools. We do wonder if the same level of service can be provided under the new regime.Wiltshire says schools will still be able to employ self-employed music teachers directly, with a new “music hub” taking the lead in overseeing provision. But the service’s supporters argue that provision will decline, with the move especially hard on lower- and middle-income families and rural schools. We do wonder if the same level of service can be provided under the new regime.