On the need for well-founded educational authority in England

Abstract

My aim in this paper is to raise the question of educational authority in terms of a philosophical and historical understanding in the context of a democratic polity. In particular, I wish to advance the view that educational authority in England is not well-founded since it resides increasingly with the Secretary of State for Education. This fails to reflect the public nature of education and also local conditions. The lack of appropriate authority contributes to many problems, the most prominent of which are the contested nature of education and schools provision and the frustrating fact that policies at national level change so frequently. Drawing on the discussion in Amy Gutmann’s Democratic Education, it examines differing conceptions of educational authority and proposes a tentative solution, which draws on the experience of the School Boards movement in England, 1870–1902.

Keywords:

• authority
• middle tier
• School Boards
• legitimacy
• democratic culture
• Secretary of State
• Gutmann

Notes

1. Alex Tuckness argues that Locke’s recommendations on the role of parents was bounded by qualifications and caveats regarding, e.g., parental competency. Furthermore, Tuckness convincingly argues that Locke was partly motivated by his perception of the public schooling of his day. Nevertheless, even Tuckness says of Locke: ‘The presumption is generally in favour of parental control’ (Tuckness, 2010, p. 635).

2. For a nuanced account and consideration of the phenomenon of ‘tough parenting’ see Judith Suissa (2013).

3. The Conservatives went on to win the election convincingly.

4. For a survey of these developments see Sally Tomlinson (2005).

5. See Plaskow (1985) for a fuller account of the workings of the School Council.

6. For an excellent and recent account see Elliott & Norris (2012), especially pp. 19–33.

7. This was one of the main burdens of the arguments emanating from the Black Papers (Cox & Dyson, 1971).

8. For a more detailed account of the implications of the 1988 Act, see Maclure (1988).

9. See Simon (1965) for a basic account.

10. See: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2174753/Ofsted-inspectors-offered-counselling-clash-teachers-brings-college-visit-untimely-end.html

11. For the text of the Act see: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/7-8/31/contents/enacted.