The Perse School
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil and Staff Login
  • Calendar
  • Sports Fixtures
  • Term dates
  • Search
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Explore
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • Sixth Form Life
    • People
    • The Perse Today
    • Summer School
    • Contact
    • Job Vacancies
    • Policies and Inspection
    • Events
    • Keep in Touch
    • Support Us
    • Get Involved
    • Notable Alumni
    • Head's Blog
    • News Stories
    • Parent Login
    • Pupil and Staff Login
    • Calendar
    • Sports Fixtures
    • Term dates

Invest more in education.

← Previous
Next →

A week can be a long time in politics and education, and a blog I was writing calling for Michael Gove to slow down the pace of examination reform was overtaken by his decision to do exactly that. The Secretary of State has attracted the usual political ridicule for his ‘U-turn’, but the criticisms for the ‘EBacc-track’ are a little unfair.  Politicians deserve some credit when they swallow their pride, listen to advice, and reverse a decision for good reasons.  EBaccs were a bridge too far, and their introduction would have detracted from the government’s genuine attempts to raise educational standards.

My blog that never was had no impact on Mr Gove’s examination decisions.  However, given the Secretary of State seems to be in listening mode I will chance my arm again with some advice to Her Majesty’s Government.

The focus of education should be talent maximisation.  The duty of schools, heads and teachers is to realise the potential of each and every child.  Potential comes in various academic and vocational forms, and no one type of potential should trump another.  We need brilliant brain surgeons and outstanding plumbers, amazing art historians and wonderful customer sales assistants.  As a twin I have first-hand experience of how UK education treats different types of potential.  My skills lay in the academic rather than practical spheres, and despite once being called a “chimpanzee” by my woodwork teacher my academic achievements were praised and my confidence soared.  My twin has the opposite ability profile.  His considerable practical skills were ignored and he was criticised for his academic failings.  He lost confidence at school and his educational potential went unrealised.

Too many children suffer a similar fate, and it is telling that a current radio commercial for Army recruitment is based on the premise that the Army will recognise and develop skills in young people that schools miss.

So how to realise the potential of each and every student?  The answer is simple – recognise talents wherever they lie and invest more in schools to ensure talent maximisation.

You get what you pay for.  The average independent school spends significantly more on each pupil than the average state school because they can.  This higher expenditure funds outstanding teachers, vibrant learning environments, smaller classes, the latest digital technology, a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities and supportive pastoral care.  All of this adds up to a considerable educational advantage which of course is why parents pay independent school fees.

Increasing the amount the UK spends on education will be difficult but worthwhile.  An increased investment in education today will result in a better qualified workforce tomorrow.  Economic growth will accelerate and welfare spending will fall; the resulting economic returns will be handsome.

This is why we should be spending more money on education, starting with Cambridgeshire state schools who receive the lowest per capita funding in the country.

We need to think again about how we finance education and how the cost burden can be shared between all interested parties – the state, employers and parents.  The state may be able to deliver more through higher taxation, or switched priorities within government; private companies may contribute in an effort to boost employee skills and productivity; and more parents may be willing and able to contribute financially to their childrens’ education if there were tax incentives for doing so.

To raise the potential of every child we will need to spend more and spend well.  To achieve this we must think outside the current political box and find creative and sustainable ways of investing more in education to enhance the skills and knowledge of the next generation and build a better future.

Categories

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google+
  • Email

Join the
conversation

Your details

Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  1. 13 Feb 2013

    Sigrid Dean

    Dear Head, Thanks for this thoughtful summary of your positive vision for a child's education, which illustrates the point that a over heavy regulatory burden does nothing to help schools. Light touch regulation and maximised spend, if managed effectively, is more beneficial to child, teacher, school and the wider community. Yours, Sigrid Dean (Local parent and enjoying your blogs!)

Latest Posts

18 Nov 2020

A Personal Perspective on Public Exams in a Pandemic

5 Sep 2020

Learning Covid Lessons

18 Nov 2019

The do’s and don’ts of university interviews

Read moreSee more

Blog Archive

2020

November
1
September
1

2019

November
1
September
2
March
2
February
1
January
1

2018

October
1
July
1
April
1
February
1
January
1

2017

November
1
September
1
March
4
January
1

2016

November
1
October
1
September
1
June
1
January
1

2015

October
1
May
2
February
2
January
2

2014

December
4
November
3
October
1
September
3
August
1
June
1
May
1
April
1
March
3
February
1
January
3

2013

December
2
November
3
October
2
September
4
August
3
July
1
June
3
May
4
April
2
March
3
February
3
January
5

2012

December
2
November
4
October
6
September
7
August
4
July
3
June
3
May
5
April
3
March
4
February
4
January
5

2011

December
3
November
2
Return to startUp periscope

The Perse Pelican
Head: Francesca Heftman
92 Glebe Road
Cambridge
CB1 7TD

T +44 (0) 1223 403940

The Perse Prep
Head: James Piper
Trumpington Road
Cambridge
CB2 8EX

T +44 (0) 1223 403920

The Perse Upper
Head: Ed Elliott
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 8QF

T +44 (0) 1223 403800

  • Contact
  • Job Vacancies
  • Our Vision, Values and Aims
  • Term Dates
  • Inspection Report
  • Governors
  • Perse Studio
  • Policies
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Privacy Notices
  • Disclaimer
  • Website Terms of Use
pelican@perse.co.uk
prep@perse.co.uk
schooloffice@perse.co.uk
Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

© The Perse School 2021. All Rights reserved.
Crafted by The District and Chameleon Studios

 
Toggle the navigation
 
The Perse School
Parent Login Calendar Site Search
  • Homepage
  • Upcoming Lecture: Mobile Apps become Medical Devices 
  • About us 
    • The Perse Today 
      • Our vision, values and aims 
        • Sustainability 
      • Philosophy 
      • Outreach and Community Partnerships 
      • Governors 
      • Perse in Cambridge 
      • Rooted in History 
        • Timeline 
      • Expanding our Facilities 
    • Summer School 
    • Contact 
      • Open Events 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Book a Tour 
    • Job Vacancies 
  • Pelican 
    • Admissions 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Open Morning 
      • Book a Tour 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
        • Nursery and Reception 
        • Years 1 and 2 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Club Pelican 
    • School Life 
      • Home from Home 
      • The School Day 
      • Pelican Behaviour 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Pelican staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Prep 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Prep 
        • Open Morning 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
        • Activity Morning 
        • Pre-Test Service 
      • Prep 360 Virtual Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
      • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Assessment 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs 
      • Drama + Music 
      • Sport 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • School Council 
      • Newsletter 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Prep Staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Upper 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Open Days 
      • Visiting the Upper 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Linking Project 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Exam Results 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 Society 
      • Drama + Dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
      • Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • 6th Form 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Sixth Form 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Open Evening 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
        • International Students 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Learning Support 
      • Exam Results 
      • University 
        • University destinations 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 
      • Drama + dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
    • Sixth Form Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The Sixth Form Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff list 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • Alumni 
    • Events 
    • Keep in Touch 
      • OP News 
      • E-Newsletter 
        • Perse Profiles 
        • Into The Archive 
        • Recent Events 
      • Find a Friend 
      • Update Form 
      • Contact Us 
      • E-Communications 
    • Support Us 
      • Make a Gift 
      • Bursaries 
      • 2021 Leavers’ Gift 
      • Outreach 
      • Legacies 
      • Donor Recognition 
    • Get Involved 
      • Year Group Reps 
      • Networking & Careers 
      • 42 Society Lectures 
    • Notable Alumni 
  • News 
  • Head's Blog
  • Contact
  • Calendar
  • Sport Fixtures
  • Term Dates
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil + Staff Login
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook