Author: Martin Allen

OXBRIDGE REDIVIVUS

Patrick Ainley  Post-16 Educator (No 62)   http://www.post16educator.org.uk Introduction: Social immobility What is the point of different forms of indirect democracy if MPs do not represent the electorate anyway, viz. Clegg – fees? And if government and opposition are both headed by male Oxbridge humanities graduates – Cameron, Clegg, Miliband, Balls and Osborn? No wonder celebrity … Continue reading OXBRIDGE REDIVIVUS →

Wolf Review ‘doesn’t go far enough’

Martin Allen Though earning top marks from both Michael Gove and Further education minister John Hayes, Professor Alison Wolf’s report on vocational education does not provide what many Tories want.  In particular, Lord Baker, creator of Thatcher’s   National Curriculum and Chair of the vocational charity Edge, used Radio 4’s Today programme (03/03/11) to complain ‘it … Continue reading Wolf Review ‘doesn’t go far enough’ →

Lost Generation? New Strategies for Youth and Education (Podcast)

Martin Allen and Patrick Ainley  Warwick University Feb 8th 2011  http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/pg/current/phdstudents/current/syrgan/publications/podcasts/?podcastItem=lost_generation.mp3   Patrick Ainley   'Lost Generation? New strategies for youth and education' in Educationalfutures, Journal of the British Educational Studies Association, Vol. 3 http://www.educationstudies.org.uk/materials/patrick_final4.pdf        http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Generation-Strategies-Youth-Education/dp/1441134700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296763103&sr=1-1 

‘Posh and posher’?

Patrick Ainley With tv programmes like Andrew Neil's 'posh and posher' (BBC2 26/1), the public is being fed the myth that a return to grammar schools will restart upward social mobility and is therefore progressive. However, the official introduction of comprehensive schools from 1965 was coincident with but not a cause of ending the limited … Continue reading ‘Posh and posher’? →

(More than) 1 in 5 young people unemployed

  With the monthly figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing that unemployment for the three month period August to November had reached 2.5 million, it has been the increase in youth unemployment – a total of 951.000 (20.5% of 16-24 year olds) are now out of work –that has received particular attention. Youth unemployment … Continue reading (More than) 1 in 5 young people unemployed →

Of our elaborate plans, the end

Patrick Ainley and Martin Allen Society for Research into Higher Education (News)  http://sociologicalimagination.org The Coalition’s reaction to the Browne Review of student fees complements their slashing of 40% of higher education funding. Their new hard cap of £9,000 a year on fees leaves unfunded arts and humanities to be paid for only by those who … Continue reading Of our elaborate plans, the end →

‘Tuition fees and the need for a proper debate’

  Times  letter  02/12/10  The issues at stake for the future of higher education are not only to do with the proposed increase in student tuition fees. We believe that the public university is essential both for cultivating democratic public life and creating the means for individuals to find fulfilment in creative and intellectual pursuits. However, … Continue reading ‘Tuition fees and the need for a proper debate’ →

Michael Gove’s White Paper

Understandably, much of the attention given to Michael Gove’s White Paper The Importance of Teaching has centred on plans for expanding Academies and Free Schools. One of Michael Gove’s longer term objectives however, is to make radical changes to the relationship between young people and qualifications. The White Paper reaffirms Coalition plans for a return … Continue reading Michael Gove’s White Paper →