Politics of Education

A selection of articles from past issues of Attain which look at the issues of politics in education.

A Reply to Lord Adonis

When Former Schools' Minister, Lord Adonis, attacked the independent sector in his interview in the Spring issue of Attain, many Heads felt the criticism was unfair. One was John Claughton, Chief Master of King Edward's School in Birmingham. He explains why Lord Adonis was wrong. More...

Can Free Schools Deliver?

Free Schools' offer a new form of 'independent' education. But what do they mean for the existing independent sector? Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, unpicks the facts. More...

Toby Young: 'Floreat Actona'

Can Toby Young realise his dream of founding a state school in Ealing to rival the very best the independent sector can provide? Tim Johnson goes and finds out... More...

Assessing 'Public Benefit'

Attain decided to survey Heads at IAPS schools to gauge opinion on the controversial 'public benefit' requirements and to assess their impact. The results show a remarkable picture. More...

C-Change in Education?

Contributing Editor of Attain, Michael St John Parker, looks in detail at the Conservative education manifesto and asks Michael Gove whether parents really do know best when it comes to setting up and running schools. More...

An Educational Makeover

When it comes to education, governments like to meddle in the name of progress. Tim Johnson takes a look back at the Department for Education and wonders where Labour fit in the history of education. More...

The DNA of Academies

Lord Adonis told the HMC Conference - 'It is your educational DNA we are seeking, not your fee income or your existing charitable endowments' - but should schools engage with the Academies programme? More...

Stuck in the Chorus

Alistair Macnaughton, Headmaster of The King's School, Gloucester, argues that many independent schools are deprived of a voice and unfortunately excluded by the vocal minority. More...

The Public School Prime Minister

With Gordon Brown and the Labour Party struggling, Tim Johnson looks back at the relationship between public schools and Number 10 over the last century, and wonders whether the tide is about to turn. Again. More...

Analysing the Parties' Policies

Over the last three issues, Attain has talked to Education spokesmen for all three main political parties. Former Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead, looks at their positions and draws his conclusions. More...