Barclays Bank to get involved with Academies and Free Schools - press release
EMBARGO 11:00AM
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Commenting on today’s announcement by Michael Gove that Barclays Bank will be supporting Academies, Free Schools, University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said;
“Opening schools up to the market place is simply wrong. Children and young people should not be influenced at an impressionable age by whichever large company manages to gain a foothold in their school.
“This is, of course, Michael Gove’s vision for the future of education in this country. It is extraordinarily flawed and will most certainly result in a two tier system. Schools in deprived areas whose pupils do not fit the right socio-economic profile will not get the help, financial or otherwise, from business. Any successful business’s involvement in a school will surely be decided on what returns they can reap for themselves.
“Removing schools from the democratically accountable expertise and support that local authorities provide is a disastrous move. Education provided by the state and paid for by the tax payer should be an opportunity for everyone, regardless of background, to achieve the very best they can. While becoming a golden goose for big business, Michael Gove’s academies and Free Schools policy is utterly undermining the principle of a fair education for all”.
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Commenting on today’s announcement by Michael Gove that Barclays Bank will be supporting Academies, Free Schools, University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said;
“Opening schools up to the market place is simply wrong. Children and young people should not be influenced at an impressionable age by whichever large company manages to gain a foothold in their school.
“This is, of course, Michael Gove’s vision for the future of education in this country. It is extraordinarily flawed and will most certainly result in a two tier system. Schools in deprived areas whose pupils do not fit the right socio-economic profile will not get the help, financial or otherwise, from business. Any successful business’s involvement in a school will surely be decided on what returns they can reap for themselves.
“Removing schools from the democratically accountable expertise and support that local authorities provide is a disastrous move. Education provided by the state and paid for by the tax payer should be an opportunity for everyone, regardless of background, to achieve the very best they can. While becoming a golden goose for big business, Michael Gove’s academies and Free Schools policy is utterly undermining the principle of a fair education for all”.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| pr08-2012-Barclays-Bank-to-support-Academies.doc | 26KB |
