On the back of years of Tory austerity, the education sector is preparing for the “worst financial situation for a generation” after chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement on 26 March. Headteachers have already warned that schools face “death by a thousand cuts” partly because the proposed pay increase for teachers is unfunded and the Labour Party government wants it to come out of the education budget.
Labour’s proposed education cuts
The Times claims that education secretary Bridget Phillipson has “offered” to cut programmes like free period products, dance, music, and PE schemes. She has also reportedly floated a further £500m cut. At a time when the richest 1% hold more wealth than 70% of the country, this type of outlook is extraordinary from Labour. Additionally, the four richest Britons have more wealth that 20 million of us.
Under the Conservatives (and initially the Lib Dems), the education budget already faced a 9% cut from 2010-2020. This was drastic for school sixth forms that underwent cuts of 26%. The lack of funding forced 47 school sixth forms to close from 2016-2019. Funding for colleges, meanwhile, will still be 11% lower than in 2010.
While schools budgets often have more preservation (compared to sixth forms and universities), they are still in line for cuts in the spring statement.
The private school sham
One way to improve education would be to stop diverting resources to private schools that function to unfairly reproduce a ruling class. Research from University College London shows that private schools receive around three times the resources of the state school average. On top of that, private schools receive double the teachers with classes around half the size.
Lead author of the study Dr Morag Henderson said the “vastly superior resource gap at each stage” leads to “better university access and improved labour market rewards.” Indeed, the Sutton Trust found that while only 7% of the UK attends private school, those privately educated dominate the top jobs in society. 65% of senior judges, 44% of top actors, 39% of cabinet members, and 52% of diplomats were privately educated.
Another issue with private schooling is that it can lead to snobbery amongst those attending and a ‘mere commoner’ mindset for those not. This psychological divide could have a damaging impact on society. In fact, research has shown that private schools are full of “racism and classism” with pupils feeling like they are born to rule.
Labour: taking education, and us, backwards
The role of nature (genetics) versus nurture (family, school) in educational outcomes is hard to estimate. That said, research from King’s College London suggests that 58% of a pupil’s performance in key subjects is to do with genetics. That leaves 42% of outcomes as an opportunity for improvement.
So we should not be diverting disproportionate resources and expertise to the privileged few and instead improve the system across the board. Labour has ended the VAT tax break for private schools. But with the public sector bracing for cuts, it looks like it’s predominantly taking us backwards.
Featured image via the Canary
