VELBERT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

1
VELBERT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

• EQUALITY OF CHANCES

2
AUTONOMY AND EQUALITY

• Two quotes schools run schools (David
  Blunkett) Education, education and education
  (Tony Blair)
• Equality of opportunity is enshrined in law - but
  there are many complications
• the notion of league tables in England
• 50 (or more) specialist secondary schools by
  2004
• the cost of higher education

3
AUTONOMY AND EQUALITY

• Additional support programmes do exist
• neighbourhood renewal
• Education Development Plans
• Ethnic minority achievement grants
• Pathfinder programmes (eg in Tameside)
• Additional targets
• Alternative courses
• the use of Standards Fund

4
AUTONOMY AND EQUALITY

• programmes to address poverty, racism and
  disadvantage are part of the Councils Education
  Development Plan. Although Councils have to give
  more and more money directly to schools, some can
  be held back for the EDP. Councils are also
  creative in how they use other funding. For
  example money for urban regeneration could be
  used for family literacy programmes. Also schools
  run schools but money (PFI) is available for
  councils to build or re-build them.

5
AUTONOMY AND EQUALITY

• The impact of school structure varies. Factors
  include
• the different arrangements for church schools
• intervention in inverse proportion to success
• special schools v inclusion
• schools serving the local community

6
AUTONOMY AND EQUALITY

• The success of support programmes is evaluated
  nationally for example by OFSTED and locally by
  LEAs.
• Reporting at LEA level has two purposes
• public accountability and
• getting more money for programmes.
• There is a big debate about market
  conditions/national education goals and the broad
  and narrowing of curriculum.