5/19/2008 7:11:00 AM
Dr Anthony Seldon; The Times; 19 May
Independent schools should set up many more free academies; and we'd all share the benefit The Charity Commission's investigation into whether independent schools provide “public benefits” that justify their tax breaks under charity law is causing angst among head teachers and parents. It shouldn't. It is providing a unique opportunity to bridge the gulf that cleaves our education system in two. No other country has such a glaring gap between a well-funded independent system that dominates places at top universities and national life, and a state system that, however much it improves, is unable to catch up. The gulf widened in the last century, principally because of the end of direct grant schools and the abolition of most grammar schools. Brave efforts have taken place in the past few years to build bridges. But the division remains the biggest wasted opportunity in educational advance in Britain today. It must not continue. Yet that is exactly what will happen if the Charity Commission forces independent schools to offer large number of bursaries to children currently attending state schools. Some independent schools are even saying they will be “needs blind” - offering bursary support up to full fees for every child who passes the entrance test. This is in many ways laudable, and is in tune with the founding spirit of several schools. But it is not the best solution for education as a whole. What happens when a child is offered a bursary? He or she leaves their state school, changes uniform and joins their new independent school. It gives improved educational opportunities to the child - and significantly boosts the achievement of the independent school, which is why so many want to offer them. But what effect will it have on the state school? It will deprive it of a strong academic, a key player in the orchestra, the captain of the football or netball team, a real character or a future leader. Because the children leaving the state schools will not just be ordinary children. They will be the special ones, the ones of rare talent who will inspire other children in that state school, and give the whole school pride and status. What may be good for the individual child will not be good for the school they quit. While limited bursaries have a role, writ large across the whole country the wholesale removal of gifted children would diminish state schools. It will heighten friction between both sectors. The message state schools would hear is “we are not good enough to educate the most talented”. Times
Independent/ Private Sector
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