And another White Paper....

I am not sure there are many people left with the energy even to read the latest White Paper on education. To quote various people who have spoken to me this week:

“A hotchpotch of ideas and initiatives many of which are already in operation and some have simply been re-presented or at least reheated.”

“A solicitor’s charter.”

“It reminds me of the dying days of the Major Government. If you have nothing new to say, say it at great length, and trumpet entitlements and guarantees which actually amount to very little.”

And of course the White Paper is virtually silent on Edge related issues – virtually nothing on more practical learning, people’s different talents and abilities, and the critical importance of ensuring many paths to success. There is a passing reference to the National Council for Educational Excellence recommendations on employer engagement; there is a reiteration of established policy on post-14 options (GCSE/A levels; Diplomas; Apprenticeships; foundation learning tier); and there's some fluffy words about teachers responding to the needs, styles and aspirations of their pupils, and having greater freedom and flexibility in relation to the national curriculum. All very disappointing.

This may seem all rather negative – and it certainly is for me. But I have little sympathy left. There has never been a coherent vision or strategy for education in recent years. There is a case to be made for a need for strong targets and central prescription at the outset of a concerted programme to improve standards - because standards did need to be improved. You could then argue there comes a time when responsibility has to be handed back to the professionals and to the consumers/customers. But as far as I can see no one in government has even been bothered to put forward this rationale!