Is mankind's highest ideal to live without
incident or adventure? And if so,
when did this begin?

We’ve faced a good deal of opposition in the last year and a half. And I am certain 2012 will be no different. Because one thing I’ve come to realise during my time as Education Secretary is that the opposition we face is of a very particular kind…

It’s ironic, if you think about it. The popular critique of our reform programme has most often been of its underpinning motives. The talk was of an ‘ideologically-driven Academies programme’ and ‘ideologically-motivated school reforms.’ We’re supposed to be the ideologues. And yet…

And yet the truth is rather different. The Academies programme is not about ideology. It’s an evidence-based, practical solution built on by successive governments – both Labour and Conservative. The new ideologues are the enemies of reform, the ones who put doctrine ahead of pupils’ interests. Every step of the way, they have sought to discredit our policies, calling them divisive, destructive, ineffective, unpopular, unworkable – even ‘a crime against humanity.’

But the facts on the ground tell a very different story.

Read more: Michael Gove: Who are the ideologues now?

NB: The author is Tim Hewish, who I am glad to welcome as a local contributor. — Steve

Buckinghamshire is blessed with having Grammar schools and is complimented by a large number of successful State schools; however not all parts of the country are so privileged. I was fortunate enough to attend the release of Policy Exchange’s latest education report, Blocking the Best, which focuses on the obstacles people face when trying to set up their own independent state school.

Shadow Schools Secretary, Michael Gove MP, gave the keynote speech in which he centred heavily on how little access disadvantaged children have to a better education and improved horizons. You can read a bite-sized account of Michael’s vision here.

To provide a backdrop, the Conservatives are strongly in favour of Academies, which are a type of school that can be set up by parents, teachers, businesses; and charities that are free from the tangled web of constant assessment, league tables and the prevalent dumbing down of our education into issues based learning.

Mr. Gove spoke of the revolutionary KIPP schools (Knowledge is Power Programme) in the US. (A video by its Founders can be viewed here) These schools sprang up 15 years ago and focused on the very poorest in urban America with 90% of the pupils from Afro-American and Latino descent. What KIPPs managed to achieve were that 85% of the total pupils succeeding to go on to college.

What are the secrets to their success?

Read more