UK school privatization

[seraphim]

Last night myself and my better half met with Robin Clapp The Socialist party south west representative during the course of our dicussions we talked about the proposed privatization of U.K schools. The example used by Robin was of a society (whose name I cannot remember) related to big business and having roots to the abomination that was the slave trade. Who have recently tried though I'm not sure if they have been or will be successful to aquire a school in Bristol their reasons for this aquisition were found to be that a proposed new road linking Bristol airport to the city would run over the schools land, you can see where I'm going. Massive profits would be the outcome however a more scary prospect is that under The Labour Partys latest proposals companies could aquire schools and there investment would allow them to CHANGE THE CARRICULUM. This is already beginning to happen and means that some state schools in the U.K will change to BAN the teaching of Darwinism in favour of creationism this insanity must be stopped. Any thoughts on how this could be achieved or comments on anything related to this subject?

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

The example used by Robin was of a society (whose name I cannot remember) related to big business and having roots to the abomination that was the slave trade.

Do you mean laissez-faireze capitalism?

Not only Darwinism comes under attack. This is much more broad. You have to think in terms of economic interests. Schools teaching kids that buying is good and especially by the brands that sponsor the school.

Schoolbook filled with texts as:

"Johnny enjoys a crispy with choclat covered Mars™ during lunchtime. Bobby wants a delicious crispy Mars too. Johnny had 4 Marsses with him, he sells 2 to Bobby. How many delicious crispy Marsses has he left?"

You shouldn't be suprised though or think that this is new. Companies and lobbies who have significant influence on the government, also have a significant influence on schoolbooks texts. These newest reforms only make it "official" and carries it a bit further.

[Anarchist Freedom]

Ahh yes They do this in america already GM makes my schools cirriculum. We are sponsored by pepsi. At some school certain things like advertisements in the classrooms(my old highschool). Was not an uncommon practice. Though this may be new in the Uk in the us weve been doing this for years.

[KrazyRabidSheep]

Are we talking about at private or public schools (in Brit speak)?

If we're talking about school open to the public, where normal people go, that's wrong.

If we're talking about boarding schools where rich kids go before Oxford, I couldn't care less (as they are private property)

I'm a bit confused. Living on both sides of the Atlantic messes up with your mind.
I could tell an interesting story about when I asked for a fag once and was hit in the face, but I'll save that for another time.

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

please tell :)

[bur372]

I go to a private school in the Uk ( Yes, I get lots of dumb cappie arguments well no most of the students just Think communisim is just inherently evil and wrong). Our meals our cooked by a private company Scholarest ( The prices are very high and the food is pretty bad- I have a packed lunch). On the sides are posters saying stuff like "desire" "Experience" and crap like that in order to promote food.

[bolshevik butcher]

my schools like that, it's done under ppp, the school's kinda shit, like they can't change the tempertaure on the heaters.

[KrazyRabidSheep]

Well, about the cigerette. . .that's a little off topic, isn't it?
Oh, well, since you insist.
Pretty much explains itself, however.

There was a guy sitting on the stool next to me smoking (this was a little "Irish Pub" in St. Louis which sold nothing but guiness, potatos and hamburgers).

I asked if he had a spare fag.

There was a slight communication gap because he didn't realize what I ment, so he punched me right on the chin (he had more then his fair share).

I'm about 6'3", so I don't like beating up on people, but I take exception when punched in the face.

I got thrown out by the owner, who turned out to be a man named Schmidt (St. Louis is just as German as Cincinati, Milwakee. . .perhaps even Dosseldorf).

I guess the moral of the story is don't piss off a large Irishman, even if you think he's queer (I broke the bastard's nose).

[seraphim]

We're talking about public schools ones that should be run by the government I know this has been happening in the corporate U$ for a long time but in the U.K it's a new idea one that we should fight with every means at our disposal.

[h&s]

I take it we're talking about 'city academy' schools here? The idea behind them is that the LEA (Local education authority) pick a run down city comprehensive and offer it to some big, rich new-Labour crony who pays 10% towards the cost of completely revamping the school with the best modern equipment (to accuse those who oppose this of being against the interests of the kids), for which they then get complete control of the curriculum of that school. Reg Vardy (General Motors dealer) apparently got creationism on the curriculum of 'his' school.
The 'academy' is not open to those in its traditional catchment area, meaning that the families nearby have to send their kids quite a way to get to school.
This is just the first stage - where I live the LEA is currently having a shake-ip of educaton in which they are creating 3 academies, closing another 3 schools, and merging 6. This is going to severely cut what they do spend on education, making the comprehensives even more run down.
They will then give the academies as examples of modern schools and say that they are the way forward, eventually making all the schools under their control academies. Complete privatisation is only a small step away from that, and these 'academies' must be fought - the SP managed to lead a campaign that stopped Jasper Conran from setting one up :P