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Labour wants to set up military schools | Labour wants to set up military schools |
(about 2 hours later) | |
By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter | By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter |
A military school could be set up in every region of England under Labour to raise aspirations in poor areas. | A military school could be set up in every region of England under Labour to raise aspirations in poor areas. |
Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg wants to see the armed forces and service charities helping to run so-called "service schools". | Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg wants to see the armed forces and service charities helping to run so-called "service schools". |
These would have a "distinct service ethos" and would employ qualified teachers, some with a forces background. | These would have a "distinct service ethos" and would employ qualified teachers, some with a forces background. |
An aide said the idea was more about leadership skills than boot camps. | An aide said the idea was more about leadership skills than boot camps. |
Mr Twigg says: "The armed forces can make important contributions to the nation not just on the battlefield but by embedding standards and values they embody within our social fabric. | Mr Twigg says: "The armed forces can make important contributions to the nation not just on the battlefield but by embedding standards and values they embody within our social fabric. |
"One way this can be achieved is through educational provision." | "One way this can be achieved is through educational provision." |
Cadet forces | Cadet forces |
He said creating a "service ethos" in schools would emphasise "the importance of character formation and high ethical standards and values, as well as greater focus on advanced vocational skills. | He said creating a "service ethos" in schools would emphasise "the importance of character formation and high ethical standards and values, as well as greater focus on advanced vocational skills. |
"Ex-service personnel can act as excellent role models for young people." | "Ex-service personnel can act as excellent role models for young people." |
As part of its education policy review, Labour is looking at how it could establish a network of what it is calling "service schools" within existing or new schools around England. | As part of its education policy review, Labour is looking at how it could establish a network of what it is calling "service schools" within existing or new schools around England. |
It says if it comes to power it will establish one of these schools in each region of the country with a particular focus on "communities with the greatest social and economic need". | It says if it comes to power it will establish one of these schools in each region of the country with a particular focus on "communities with the greatest social and economic need". |
The involvement could be as sponsors of academies or by working closely with more traditional models of state schools. | The involvement could be as sponsors of academies or by working closely with more traditional models of state schools. |
Mr Twigg also wants to encourage Ministry of Defence-run cadet forces to work with schools to offer extra-curricular activities. | Mr Twigg also wants to encourage Ministry of Defence-run cadet forces to work with schools to offer extra-curricular activities. |
The cadet experience can engender a "sense of responsibility and citizenship", combining fun and companionship, he said. | The cadet experience can engender a "sense of responsibility and citizenship", combining fun and companionship, he said. |
Troops in class | Troops in class |
"We want to spread this throughout all schools, while promoting lasting links between pupils from different backgrounds through their cadet experience," he added. | "We want to spread this throughout all schools, while promoting lasting links between pupils from different backgrounds through their cadet experience," he added. |
The idea of involving the armed forces in children's education is not new. | The idea of involving the armed forces in children's education is not new. |
The Troops to Teachers programme, which aims to bring former service personnel into the classroom, won vocal support from the Conservative Party. | The Troops to Teachers programme, which aims to bring former service personnel into the classroom, won vocal support from the Conservative Party. |
And former servicemen and women are now being offered sponsorship to retrain as teachers by the government. | And former servicemen and women are now being offered sponsorship to retrain as teachers by the government. |
Labour's idea is based on research by think-tank ResPublica entitled, Military Academies: Tackling disadvantage, improving ethos and changing outcomes. | Labour's idea is based on research by think-tank ResPublica entitled, Military Academies: Tackling disadvantage, improving ethos and changing outcomes. |
It argues that military-style academies would open up new opportunities for those lacking hope and aspiration. | It argues that military-style academies would open up new opportunities for those lacking hope and aspiration. |
It says this new model of schooling offers "one policy solution to the social ills that became manifest at the time of the riots in summer 2011". | It says this new model of schooling offers "one policy solution to the social ills that became manifest at the time of the riots in summer 2011". |
It highlights the fact that two-thirds of those who are known to have taken part in the riots were classed as having some form of special educational need and more than a third had been excluded from school during 2009-10. | It highlights the fact that two-thirds of those who are known to have taken part in the riots were classed as having some form of special educational need and more than a third had been excluded from school during 2009-10. |
It adds: "They would change the cultural and moral outlook of those currently engulfed by hopelessness and cynicism." | It adds: "They would change the cultural and moral outlook of those currently engulfed by hopelessness and cynicism." |
Would you like to see the introduction of military schools? Would they improve standards of education? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |