State Schools

"The Conservatives left New Labour a sharply divided system of schools, particularly at the secondary level, but the 'standards not structures' principle adopted by Labour ministers has meant a neglect of the need to devise fair and equitable selection and admissions policies. At the same time, the early emphasis on 'naming and shaming' the so-called 'worst performing' schools and more recent proposals to introduce performance-related pay and new 'fast-track' schemes to reward 'high-performing' teachers have done little to solve the thorny issue of low morale in the teaching force and the…