Tag: Faith Schools

Grammar schools and faith schools get green light to expand

It’s well known that Grammar Schools do little for social mobility and the Government announcing its decision to green light the expansion of both Grammar and faith schools is concerning for various reasons.

Firstly, the Academy process has yet to prove its worth in comprehensive education. In fact, we have no definitive proof that the forced academisation of schools has made any improvements whatsoever. What we do hear about is how much Principals, Executive Principals and CEO’s are earning per annum rather than their actual impact on learner outcomes. As such, Government policy on education is yet to demonstrate competence.

Secondly, often, our Government policy makers were privately educated, or at best went to a Grammar school. Very few attended what you and I would call a normal comprehensive education and yet they are making the policy, in this case expanding they type of schooling they perceive to be the best, in this case ‘selective’. In fact, just 7% of the population attend independent fee-paying schools but half of the current Conservative cabinet were privately educated. That said, that’s better than the military where 71% of top military officers were privately educated as were 61% of doctors, anyway I digress.

Sure, outcomes are better from Grammar and faith schools but they will be when you consider that Grammar schools select only the highest achievers – they are guaranteed success. In fact, I spoke with an Ofsted inspector recently who said the worst teaching he had ever witnessed was at a Grammar school… two hours of didactic, teacher led regurgitation which saw learners passively write word for word in their books.. no engagement, no active learning, nothing. But, the head teacher waved the 98% A-C outcomes in front of the inspector and his hands were tied… outstanding school. However, faith schools are effectively being selective in their own right which not only harms integration it is allowing ‘back door selection’ where some parents can ensure their children don’t mix with those outside of their perceived community.

Clearly, this is a divisive topic but what is clear is by expanding selective education we are damaging social integration and furthering a two tier education system. How does selective education further Government aims of improving equality, diversity and inclusion?

Interesting article here from the BBC regarding the Governments decision to allow further Grammar and faith schools.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44067719

JD

 

Do faith schools harm integration?

Writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch argues faith schools lead to segregation.

Writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch argues faith schools lead to segregation. Her compelling, if potentially polarizing, video can be viewed here.  Her commentary on the subject is below but I am interested in what readers think about this. Certainly, on face value it feels like state sponsored segregation which leads to further to inequality in our communities. 

“Britain has a problem with integration, all political parties agree. But, instead of serious long term policies the response has been confined to contrived and often patronising measures.  Ethnic minority and immigrant communities are lectured about British values and we might all have to start swearing an oath of allegiance.

The glaring hypocrisy of our integration agenda is that our most important public institutions actively encourage segregation.  Faith schools make up one third of all schools in Britain. Our government is proposing that they have even more power to discriminate by selecting more of their places based on religious belief.  Public funds are being used to separate children by faith.

What could be more damaging to integration?

Faith schools are also segregating children by class. A quarter of faith primary schools have fewer disadvantaged students than those of no faith. Faith schools are the antithesis of a secular society but have never been so popular. Some parents are strategically using religious identities as a proxy for ethnicity, deliberately educating their children with others from a similar background. But the main reason for the popularity of faith schools is that many outperform other state schools in academic results.

We would never accept this kind of segregation in any other public service. Why is it acceptable in schools? We need to be honest about the role of faith and education in an integrated society and keep the two separate.” 

Afua Hirsh