HEADTEACHER Summer 2 UPDATE The only magazine for all UK primary school headteachers


Privatisation of schools by stealth?


Before the Conservative party manifesto, and subsequently the general election, who had heard of free schools? Sounding like a cross between a version of Montessori and a serious attempt at no-cost education, the actual concept would seem to bear little resemblance to ‘free’ at all


10 13 17 19 Down to business: The government is to offer a dowry to tempt providers into challenging areas


Born in Sweden and with strong links to the private sector, the term “free” derives from their relative independence. Other than the need to meet basic standards and fol- low a core curriculum promoting democratic values they can choose their own methodology and create a curriculum relatively free from external control. The Swedish “choice” policy


was introduced in 1992 so that vir- tually anyone – a private company, charity, co-operative or voluntary group – can start a school and receive state funding. Now free schools form approxi- mately eight per cent of primary


schools and 15 per cent of second- ary schools. They are completely funded by the state but are not run by local councils in contrast to the alternative municipal schools. Sig- nificantly, most of them are profit- making. The process of establishing a


free school involves parents seeing a need, finding a suitable building, and then persuading its owner to lease it to them for 10 to 15 years. A transaction that would be more difficult to secure in England with the lack of firm long-term finance and reliance upon the buildings allowance. Which is perhaps one of the


Tell us what you think Do you agree this is a worrying development or do you welcome the new policy?


We would like to hear from you. Email the editor: david.taylor@markallengroup.com


reasons that questions are being asked about the feasibility of free schools without the potential for profit-making. It takes more than parental good will to equip a school and in recognition of this there are rumours about the pay- ment of management fees to lure an already interested private sector into the mix. However, there is no clear agree-


ment on the extent to which free schools have changed, for better or worse, the quality of education in Sweden. Some claim that the additional competition has driven standards up; others claim that against international comparators standards have fallen. What most people do agree on


is that there are some significant differences between the Swedish and English contexts which could mean a bumpy ride for our educa- tion system in years to come.


Continued on page 2 22 June 2010 www.headteacher-update.com


HEADLINES Features


Details are still emerging about


the future direction of education under the coalition government. Steve Mynard looks at the policies so far, and asks what the benefits and disadvantages will be of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats working together.


The pupil premium is one area where all


three political parties had similar ideas.Headteacher Update looks into what it might look like and how it will need to be implemented.


School business managers (SBMs) have


become a familiar sight in primary schools up and down the country. We speak to one headteacher in Sheffield about her situation, and why employing an SBM was one of the best decisions she ever made.


With the threat of budget cuts hanging


over the whole of the UK, the school library is facing an uncertain future. Karen Horsfield, of the School Library Association, argues that maintaining funding levels is vital to keep up support for teaching and learning.


Over 85 per cent of primary schools in


England are registered with Sing Up, the national singing programme. Programme director Baz Chapman looks at how singing can act as a leveller for children with special needs and those outside mainstream education – building confidence, achievement and self-esteem.


Regulars:


2–4 News 6 Resources 8 Products


29 Books: Teachers 30 Books: Children 32 Diary of a head


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