I have just watched on BBC iPlayer a television programme about Toby Young's struggle to set up a new school within the state system.

The most shocking thing about the film is the campaign to stop these schools which appears to be endorsed by the National Union of Teachers. The NUT is using its power in a bad cause. The campaing against free schools is a disgusting.

There seems an unwillingness to understand or care that Young's school and others like them are wanted by parents because they are not happy with the existing state schools on offer. Is that really so difficult to grasp? Not happy. They don't think many of the state schools are good enough. There is a mass of evidence to support their view. Yet the NUT still has trouble with getting this - or perhaps caring about it.

Those who are angrily against the idea of a new, free schools in the state sector seem to think of the existing state system as a religion rather than as a means to give to the best possible education. If it is system, not a religion, it should be willing to be compared to rivals. This is what the NUT seems unwilling to agree to. Perhaps it does not want competition because, deep down, it fears that the free schools will be better. Their comfortable monopoly will be broken. They might be exposed as not, as in their view, virtuous heroes but as part of system which does not work very well - which actually lets down millions of children.

Free schools are an affront to their pride. They should stop caring about their pride and start caring about children who, in the current system, are not getting five good GCSEs and who are far from realising their potential.

One point they keep leaving aside is the fact that no one will be forced to go to these schools. They will only go if they want to. So what the NUT wants to do is deny people the choice of going to a free school. There is a totalitarian aspect to this which is actually repulsive.

Another point they choose to ignore is that Young intends the school to be open to people of all classes. It is not to be only a middle class enclave. In fact, those of lower social classes will be able to take advantage (I mean this in a good way) of the middle class people whose energy and belief is creating the school. Isn't that a good thing. And why should the phrase 'middle class' be regarded as an insult?

Here is a link to BBC iPlayer. You can find the programme by going to BBC2 and choosing 7pm on Wednesday 29th September (yesterday. I am not sure for how long this will continue to be available. Perhaps only a few days?

Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Education

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