22nd September 2019

Last Sunday a letter of mine was printed in the Sunday Times, in which I point out why the government has to step in with national benchmarks when a reported quarter of children leave school illiterate and innumerate. We see it everywhere today on social media or on tv quiz shows where young contestants’ knowledge is embarrassingly narrow. The strong socialist teachers’ union is adamant they don’t need government interference. This week was the Labour party conference where they propose abolishing Ofsted, the schools’ watchdog. When our daughter passed for the excellent local private high school, I sacrificed everything to be able to afford it. Why? It was one of the best in the country. No anarchy nor unruly pupils: simply the very best, in-depth education.  Instead of criticising private schools’ excellence, state schools should study their methods and emulate them throughout the country.