9 December 2016

Commenting on the Independent Schools Council’s proposal for 10,000 places at private schools for children from low-income backgrounds, Rosamund McNeil, Head of Education at the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“A system in which public funds are used to support the admittance of a small proportion of pupils from low income backgrounds into private schools is a dangerous step towards a voucher system for education. It will do absolutely nothing to improve social mobility and it will derail comprehensive education by creaming off the highest performing and most motivated pupils into the private sector. Comprehensive schools in England are highly successful, with 89% now rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

“Andreas Schleicher from the OECD has made clear that ‘the highest performing education systems are non-selective and have a strong emphasis on comprehensive education. They ensure all students are expected to succeed and there is no trade-off between equity and excellence.’

“The Government needs to ensure our education system is properly funded from the early years through to post 16. It also needs to restore the 40% funding cuts to local authorities which have hit those councils in disadvantaged areas the most. Well-funded schools with a sufficient number of qualified teachers working alongside well-resourced local authorities will ensure we provide the best possible education for all students.”