New Labour Educational Policy 1997-2010

Question 1

Describe Blair’s campaign on education

Answer 1

During the 1997 election campaign, Blair proclaimed that Labour’s top three priorities were ‘education, education, education’. Despite this, little changed since then

Question 2

Describe New Labour thinking on education

Answer 2

• Some polices appear to demonstrate the social democratic principle of equality of opportunity
• However, their policies seem to be based on the NR ideas- similar to Conversative policies
• New Labour’s political ideologies meant that many of changes introduced by the Conservative during their time in power remained intact

Question 3

Describe Labour’s view on diversity and choice

Answer 3

• Continued Conservatives’ policy of diversity and choice
• Blair rejected the ‘one-size-fits-all’ idea of comprehensive education. Previous Labour governments have seen this uniformity and standardisation as a way of ensuring equal opportunities for all.
• New Labour rejected this view, arguing that schools should reflect diversity of young people, their talents and abilities

Question 4

Describe Labour’s policy on diversity and choice

Answer 4

• Comprehensives should be ‘modernised.’ Part of this process involved the introduction of more specialist schools, to raise local standards of teaching and learning
• Labour increased the range of specialisms. By 2003, there were schools specialising in sports, arts, business and more.

Question 5

Describe Labour’s view on underachievement in deprived areas

Answer 5

Shorty after being elected in 1997, Labour published a report, ‘Excellence in Schools’. Stated that they intended ‘to overcome economic and social disadvantage and to make equality of opportunity a reality’. Involved finding new ways to motivate young people in deprived inner-city areas and doing something about ‘underachieving schools’

Question 6

Describe Labour’s policy on underachievement in deprived areas (1)

Answer 6

• Academies were set up. These were failing schools, taken over by central government in partnership with businesses, churches or voluntary organisation. They could offer special bonuses to teachers to attract and keep the best
• Introduced the EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) which is paid to those between 16 and 18 as an enticement to remain in full-time education
• Introduced of AS and A2 exams meant that students would complete an exam after each year to split up their learning

Question 7

Describe Labour’s policy on underachievement in deprived areas (2)

Answer 7

• In 2007 it was announced that school leaving age in England to 18 by 2013. This change will include training such as apprenticeships and work based training rather than exclusively offered continued academic learning
• Education Action Zones (EAZs) were set up. These zones were located in deprived urban areas with low levels of educational attainment. By 2003, there were 72 EAZs, each run by an Action Forum made up of parents, representatives from local schools and businesses and from local and national government. Each zone was given £1 million to spend
• Vocational qualifications were restructured and became Vocational GCSEs and AVCEs
• Sure Start was centres that provided education, training and parental access to resources in deprived areas

Question 8

What are critic’s of Labour’s policies?

Answer 8

• Melissa Benn (2017) sees a contradiction between Labour’s policies to tackle inequalities and its commitment to marketisation, called the ‘New Labour Paradox’
• Despite introducing EMAs to encourage poorer students to stay in education, Labour also introduced tuition fees for higher education that may deter them from going to university