Free Schools
This blog has misgivings about this policy. It does, however have an attraction. For too long politicians have had input into and meddled with what is taught and by what method, often egged on by academics of the worst kind with crackpot theories and daft ideas. Teachers and even parents have seen their responsibilities and freedoms denuded and replaced with processes, practices and manuals.
If these schools are to be free of all this damaging direction from Whitehall they will have something serious to offer as an experiment. The challenge will be whether they can deliver better discipline and better results in an environment in which teachers and parents have all the power. If they do, we will all want education to swing back to operational and teaching independence. If not, they will prove Whitehall meddles with good reason. Perish the thought.