The Tories take the fight to Labour over social justice
Peter Hoskin 5:59pm
Statistics about educational inequality in this country always tend to shock and dismay in equal measure. And this latest piece of research from Michael Gove's office is no exception:
Just to be clear, the overall Oxbridge intake is about 6,000 students a year. So 45 pupils on FSM represents 0.75 percent of that. These are numbers which, pretty much by themselves, make the case for radical schools reform."New analysis by the Conservatives shows that just 45 pupils on Free School Meals (FSM) make it to Oxford or Cambridge each year. One top London private school gets an average of 82 Oxbridge admissions a year – almost double the number of FSM admissions. One leading independent girls’ school produces the same number of Oxbridge entrants as the entire FSM cohort. Just 1 per cent of FSM pupils go on to a Russell Group university."
There's plenty more like that in a document the Tories have released today called Labour's Two Nations, attacking the government's record on social justice, poverty, inequality and the like. This is fertile ground for the Opposition. As Cameron's recent appearances have demonstrated, he tends to be at his most effective when he takes a stand on these issues. And, in Gove's schools agenda and IDS's work on welfare, they've got the benefit of some strong policy responses. The campaign is finally getting into gear.
UPDATE: And, just like that, the Tory campaign stalls again. As James points out, the report they've produced contains a statistical howler by way of a missing decimal point (see page 12 of the pdf). A shame, as it undermines what might otherwise have been an effective attack document.
Previous
Sterence
February 14th, 2010 6:15pm Report this commentThis has to be the attack line for the Conservatives: Labour keep claiming that Britain is too unequal and therefore we need more of the same policies that, introduced by them, have made it so. This nonsense must be opposed radically.
David Belchamber
February 14th, 2010 6:33pm Report this commentOne wonders how some of these FSM children would have fared if the Assisted Places Scheme had still been available for them.
Rob
February 14th, 2010 6:34pm Report this comment"One leading independent girls' school"?
That wouldn't be the Equality Secretary's alma mater, would it?
Pete Hoskin
February 14th, 2010 6:43pm Report this commentRob: yes it would...
dexey
February 14th, 2010 6:47pm Report this commentIt is time for radical school reform and has been for at least 30 years.
What is needed is state schools with class sizes the same a private schools and the realisation that not everybody is bright enough for university, or even polytechnic.
strapworld
February 14th, 2010 7:34pm Report this commentMr Hoskin. I admire your generosity.
I thought it always best to start in first gear. Not third as Cameron's MODERN Conservatives have for weeks now.
Blairs Heir....Remember New Labour. We now have Modern Conservatives. It really is so so childish.
It doesn't add up...
February 14th, 2010 7:35pm Report this commentPerhaps more Grammar schools might help
James
February 14th, 2010 7:36pm Report this commentThe whole inequality debate as promulgated by left liberals is completely misleading. It is relative inequality they are talking about. But if you quadrupled everyone's income overnight we would all be four times better off - but society would be more unequal - ie the gap in income terms would be much bigger. Therefore the richer we become as a society the more unequal we will be. Why has Canmeron bought into this nonsense?
toco
February 14th, 2010 7:43pm Report this commentThis obsolete Labour Government turn against any new ideas through its own cowardice and insecurity preferring to relay on the spin of the disgraced long term associate of Gordon Brown, Damian McBride,Charlie Whelan and Derek Draper for its wholly negative political stance.They care not for anyone but themselves and their selfish personal interests.
Dirty Euro
February 14th, 2010 8:00pm Report this commentIf we brought back grammar schools poorer working class children would find it even more difficult to get good schools they would be limbered with get an apprentice, get a trade bla bla bla.
easynow
February 14th, 2010 8:32pm Report this comment@ strapworld, it was the media that created the "heir to blair" strap line....not cameron
the left are realy good at creating a "myth" and turing it into a truth
Fearless Frank
February 14th, 2010 9:31pm Report this commentDirty Euro: - Yes, those elitist Grammar Schools certainly put the working class in their place - My bro's in law, one the son of a miner, the other of a dock worker, had the misfortune to go to grammar schools back in the 1950s. One became a GP, the other a professor.
I'm sure you're grateful that sort of thing doesn't happen any more!
And another thing - what's wrong with apprenticeships? A lot better than the blighted hopes that confront an awful lot of teenagers today.
Dirty Euro
February 14th, 2010 10:54pm Report this commentI have no problem with apprenticeships but not when it is to fob people off with not getting a degrees and university places. Comprehensive schools have A levels your side is a select few should get that opportunity and everyone else can get lost.
It doesn't add up...
February 14th, 2010 11:10pm Report this comment@Dirty Euro
Poverty of ambition for their pupils is perhaps a feature of left wing primary school teachers, but not of Grammar School teachers. I think you'll find that in their heyday, Grammar Schools sent large numbers of free school dinner kids to Oxbridge.
strapworld
February 14th, 2010 11:24pm Report this commenteasy now may I suggest a little more research!!
Fergus Pickering
February 14th, 2010 11:29pm Report this commentDirty Euro, as bloody usual you don't know what you are talking about. My girls went to a grammar school and there were PLENTY of girls from poor homes there and very few from rich ones. The rich send their children to private schools, you see.
Fergus Pickering
February 14th, 2010 11:39pm Report this commentSusan, I have this same argument withh my wife, a cleverer person than me who follows politics more closely. She wishes Cameron were better. Well, don't we all, but he's all there is on offer. She suggests voting UKIP until she finds out that mostv of them want to keep women chained to the sink. The BNP would send a message, eh? I say, you don't want to go mixing with the lower classes, love. Liberal democrats? Well, all we have to do is to think about Simon Hughes for ten seconds and then think about Jenny Tong for another ten. Perhaps equating Broon with the Antichrist is a bit over the top. He hasn't got the energy and drive. Bt it got your attention, didn't it? We live in a society where policemen hang about at the side of a river refusing to try and help a child trapped in a car because it might be dangerous. I mean we wouldn't want our coppers doing anything dangerous, now would we?
Paul B
February 15th, 2010 3:16am Report this commentLumbered with a trade Dirty Euro? Blessed with a apprenticeship & trade would be more correct and precise. Doctors need houses built.Their toilets unblocked by plumbers. The electrical circuits rewired. Their kitchens installed. Their cars maintained. The list is endless. Having a solid saleable trade, is something to be proud of. In fact thats exactly what has a Doctor or other professionals have- a trade-except some trades require higher qualifications to enter and take longer to master.
Dominic
February 15th, 2010 2:08pm Report this commentTo gain any traction in the tabloids, this piece of news needs to be linked to Libby off East Enders. Come on CCHQ - it's only PR!
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