Lord Scriven: The Government has no plan for our education sector
2 min read
Lib Dem peer Lord Scriven writes following his Lords question on 'Evidence that grammar schools improve the education attainment of areas where they are established'.
It is quite clear that this Conservative Government is not only making it up as it goes along on Brexit, but equally on the issue of segregated education and grammar schools.
That is why last week I pushed the Minister in the Lords to quite simply show us the evidence that grammar schools improve educational attainment for all students in the areas they are established. Unfortunately, as is the case with so many of the hazy policies coming out of this new Government, it was evident that the Government hadn’t really though it through. My question was met with a polite ‘erm…no not really!’
That is because the evidence is clear: grammars and segregated education do not lead to an improvement in educational attainment in the areas they are established. What we see as I pointed out, is a distribution effect. Those at grammars get better results, those that do not get into grammar schools get worse results. So a system that helps the few and has poorer educational outcomes for the majority. So much for choice and improving standards.
The questions that followed my own, only showed further how little the issue had been thought through by the Government. They have no evidence to show that what they now propose will deal with improving education in England. Having a system that creates ‘failures and winners’ at eleven or has to have a quota for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, isn’t the most stable basis for a world class education system.
Despite repeated requests and questions, the Government just couldn’t answer why grammars dealt with the improvements that were needed in the present system. Or even how the improvements suggested for existing schools couldn’t be made with an alternative approach which wouldn’t involve the introduction of segregated grammar schools.
It is clear that Theresa May’s Government is being driven by political dogma on this issue and not on dealing with the real issues, as Tim Farron has said, this is politics before pupils.
There are real ways we can improve the schooling our children receive; investment in early years intervention and world class leadership in schools. That will make a real difference.
Cllr The Lord Scriven is a Liberal Democrat peer and a Sheffield City Councillor
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
