Gove’s approach to Education is a Thatcherite old world view

By James Frith / @jimmyfrith

The Tories have wasted no time in ignoring the huge developments in understanding the role our schools play in our communities. They continue to ignore the need for families and family life to be a consideration alongside our children’s education and the role of a good society.

The first thing Mr Gove did – on day one, was to rename the Department of Children, Schools & Families the Department of Education. This is more than a name change – this is a game change. Mr Gove, in an instant, ignored the inseparable link between a responsibility to educate our children in good-quality new schools, whilst looking after them and supporting their families across society. Labour brought in Sure Start, the extended school day, increased the school leaving age, increased the number of young people going to university and oversaw record numbers of those taking vocational courses in school – courses designed not just to educate our young people but seeking to prepare them for the workplace.

In towns across the country, young people face uncertainty – uncertain of employment prospects, unsure of their future career and often competing with hundreds of other young people for each job they apply for. They face a complicated series of issues at a time when cuts are wrongly seen as the simplest way forward by this ConDem government.

Time and time again, we see the same problem. The Tories don’t do complexity. They fail to understand the link between safeguarding our children and making sure they receive one-to-one support for social, economic and educational wellbeing. They refuse to even accept the need to re-build 700 schools across the country or proceed with free school meals programmes for our most vulnerable children. It is far simpler to slash these Labour commitments and turn away; preferring instead to redirect the money to an ill-thought out, elite biased, “I’m all-right jack” programme of ‘free’ schools. These schools will not be free. They will be paid for at the expense of mainstream schools and children across the country not fortunate enough to catch the eye of the secretary of state as he casts a selective view over his slimmed-down department and narrow-minded view of what an education for all should mean.

For here is a man who takes a class-eyed view of our education system. As a Labour Party, a renewed labour movement and a government in waiting we should proclaim – Mr Gove, you are making mistakes and we will correct your errors.