Whitwham on UK Education: Ambivalent About Grammar Schools; Utopian Visions

I often check out Ian Whitwham's SecEd articles, to see what he has to say on the subject of schools and the politics of education.

Here he is on Grammar Schools

Even people educated at public schools appreciate some of his heroes like Tony Harrison, John Lennon, Mike Rosen.

Ian's Utopia:

"In my Socialist Utopia schools would be a bit like my old grammar, but full of all classes and genders and Media Studies instead of Gallic Wars. All public schools would be demolished. They would be only community comprehensives with very small classes and very big budgets. This would be financed by cancelling Tridents, Wars, Bankers’ Bonuses, Goves and even Sir Michael – with the fabulous Mr Drew in charge. What’s not to like?"

Methinks he's preaching to the converted.

We can agree to differ on some points!

But I do think that a school like the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester provides a model to which the country could and should aspire, even though it's not in a tough, inner-city catchment area. I hope Ian has the opportunity to visit it one day.

Update on "Outstanding" Thomas Hardye School, April 2015

Ian Whitwham: Are you a "progressive"?

Ian Whitwham, We're no longer a ' Soft Touch'

Update: The Independent, on Grammar Schools

Should Grammar Schools be closed?

Ian in International Times