From the Times Educational Supplement, 27th November 2009.
One of the leading bodies representing independent prep schools in the UK has been asked by the Conservative party to advise on their plans for state funded ‘free schools’. The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) has met the shadow education secretary Michael Gove, to help discuss how it’s expertise could help the Conservatives win the next election.
David Hanson has also met with the head of the New Schools Network, the body set up to develop these schools. Mr Hanson said, “We already have a thriving independent sector that is recognised as one of the best in the world. There has to be a synergy between the new independent schools and the existing sector.”
He said that the IAPS could potentially offer expertise on how to create a private school from scratch, “…but we are still scoping out whether these schools will be truly independent. Will that freedom have to be reined in as academies have been under Labour? You must be prepared to let them go, but it is difficult for a politician to give a school funding and allow it to do what it believes to be right.”
Existing fee-paying schools could offer guidance on how to set up a truly independent curriculum, free from testing, but still accountable to parents. To widen the curriculum you need to step away from the narrow focus on literacy and numeracy, but you have to be able to dare to do that. ”
Mr Hanson stressed the meetings were only preliminary. He added that some prep heads would be keen to team up with free schools to form federations in an effort to raise standards. So far, prep schools have failed to become involved in the academies to the extent of senior schools. IAPS said it has held off because it could not fain confirmation that doing s would count in a school’s favour when subject to the Charity Commission’s benefit test.
mtmconsulting’s recent Independent Education Sector Report 2010, written by Schools Educational Researcher Gavin Humphries, states that changes to the planning laws that would allow free schools to open would make it easier for private schools to establish themselves.
Mr Gove said, “We are working with a number of organisations on our plans for state funded independent schools with a comprehensive intake to raise standards for the most disadvantaged children. We want to do as much work in the pre-election period so that, as far as is possible, if we do win the election next year we are able to implement any necessary legislation straight away.”
mtmconsulting’s Independent Education Sector Report 2010 presents the authoritative independent commentary on the independent education market, both charitable and for-profit. Produced biannually by mtmconsulting, it is an objective review of the sector. It includes statistics, trends, forecasts and scenarios, providing a valuable information source for decision makers or those wishing to enter the sector. The report is considered essential reading for Heads, Chief Executives, Bursars and Governors who need an objective review of the independent education sector to inform their school business strategy and for the increasing number of individuals and organisations who are seeking to enter the market or build on their existing portfolio.
To read the full article, click here.
To read more about mtmconsulting’s Independent Education Sector Report 2010, click here.
