When the public sector began to categorise people by gender and ethnicity it was, no doubt, with the intention of exposing discrimination against women and ethnic minorities. However, when it comes to our schools, the ‘tick boxes’ have uncovered a very different picture. A report in the Daily Mail provides the background: “Under a 'nappy […]
Meritocracy. That’s something we can all agree on, isn’t it? Conservatives, liberals, social democrats – all united in the conviction that those who achieve positions of seniority should do so through sheer hard work and talent. Except that there’s a problem. This is the way that Samuel Goldman of the American Conservative puts it in […]
After three days on the Eurozone, the Deep End turns to the happier subject of confectionery. According to a fascinating piece for Slate by Paul Tough (author of How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character) eating sweets really can make you more intelligent. Or, at least, they can if you happen […]
Martin Parsons is currently director of faculty of the UK’s newest sixth form college in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He has a PhD in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and has written a major academic book on this subject. He is currently writing a further book on Conservativism and Christianity and is a member of the parliamentary candidates […]
A defence of grammar schools from, say, Melanie Phillips in the Daily Mail would surprise no one, but when it comes from Mary Ann Sieghart in the Independent feathers are ruffled. Referencing the ongoing debate about social mobility, Sieghart reminds us that education really can make a difference: “…pupils who had free school meals and […]
If you didn’t catch Neil O’Brien’s thought-provoking report for the Daily Telegraph last week, here’s another chance. He begins by comparing the cognitive development of rich and poor children: “By the time they are 62 months old, the cognitive development of the children of the richest 20% is 16 months ahead of children from the poorest 20%.” What […]