This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30711726

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Political interference 'damaging schools' Political interference 'damaging schools'
(about 11 hours later)
Efforts to improve England's education system are being undermined by short-term political pressures, according to former Ofsted chief Sir David Bell.Efforts to improve England's education system are being undermined by short-term political pressures, according to former Ofsted chief Sir David Bell.
Sir David, vice-chancellor of Reading University, wants strategy for schools to be set by an independent body.Sir David, vice-chancellor of Reading University, wants strategy for schools to be set by an independent body.
Political "firefighting" and shaping policy around electoral cycles has a destructive impact, says Sir David.Political "firefighting" and shaping policy around electoral cycles has a destructive impact, says Sir David.
It is a "ridiculous situation" for school curriculums to be based on "ministerial whims", he says.It is a "ridiculous situation" for school curriculums to be based on "ministerial whims", he says.
Sir David, in a speech to the Association of Science Education's annual conference, warns that constant political interference and policy changes are barriers to raising standards in school.Sir David, in a speech to the Association of Science Education's annual conference, warns that constant political interference and policy changes are barriers to raising standards in school.
'Top-down tinkering''Top-down tinkering'
A former permanent secretary at the Department for Education, Sir David says there should be no more major changes to the curriculum, qualifications or structural changes to schools during the course of the next Parliament.A former permanent secretary at the Department for Education, Sir David says there should be no more major changes to the curriculum, qualifications or structural changes to schools during the course of the next Parliament.
He wants an independent body to set long-term policy, separated from the shifting demands of party politics.He wants an independent body to set long-term policy, separated from the shifting demands of party politics.
This could create a qualifications system that would support a changing economy, he says, arguing that this would include replacing A-levels with a broader, baccalaureate-style exam system.This could create a qualifications system that would support a changing economy, he says, arguing that this would include replacing A-levels with a broader, baccalaureate-style exam system.
Sir David also calls for more local autonomy for schools rather than "top-down tinkering and intervention" from ministers and civil servants.Sir David also calls for more local autonomy for schools rather than "top-down tinkering and intervention" from ministers and civil servants.
"The idea that academic excellence was only valued by a small coterie holed up in Westminster was as insulting as it was wrong," he says."The idea that academic excellence was only valued by a small coterie holed up in Westminster was as insulting as it was wrong," he says.
The university head also criticises political interventions in higher education.The university head also criticises political interventions in higher education.
"Too often it lacks rigour and a strong evidence-base. We can see that in the home secretary's bizarre suggestion to remove from the country bright foreign students the moment they graduate.""Too often it lacks rigour and a strong evidence-base. We can see that in the home secretary's bizarre suggestion to remove from the country bright foreign students the moment they graduate."
He also strongly criticises the government's policy on teacher training as being driven by an "ideological fixation" with switching training away from university education departments, because they are perceived as "Marxist hotbeds".He also strongly criticises the government's policy on teacher training as being driven by an "ideological fixation" with switching training away from university education departments, because they are perceived as "Marxist hotbeds".
The emphasis on the "school direct" scheme, which promotes teacher training within schools, risks damaging university courses, he says.The emphasis on the "school direct" scheme, which promotes teacher training within schools, risks damaging university courses, he says.
"Ministers need to take a more grown-up view of policy - not cut their noses off to spite their own faces.""Ministers need to take a more grown-up view of policy - not cut their noses off to spite their own faces."
In a statement the government said its plans for education would: "ensure all pupils leave education with the knowledge and skills they need to access a wide range of jobs and succeed in a competitive global market".