The Front Page - Copy 89 (Paul Carter, Gwyn Prosser, on Schools)
30 April 2010
Tuesday Latest ....
Paul Carter Statement
Paul Carter Says:
As a result of the Today Programme (monday morning) I have had a number of emails to which I would like to respond as follows:
“I am 100% behind Michael Gove’s education plans, which will introduce more competition, give parents more choice and help drive up standards across the country.
“The BBC is trying to create a division between us that doesn’t exist.
“An issue I have been discussing with Michael is ensuring that funding between different types of schools is fair and equitable, and I’m totally confident that this would be the case with a Conservative government.”
It is interesting to quote verbatim from Michael Gove's excellent interview with the Today Programme's John Humphrys:
Michael Gove: "Paul is 100% supportive of our proposals. He backs an agenda of greater choice. He would like to see free schools established. The point that he makes, which I think we all agree with, is that we all do need to ensure that we do have a fair funding formula. One of the reasons why standards have improved in Kent is that Paul has welcomed competition. There are a wide variety of types of schools in Kent and it is that additional diversity."
Paul Carter, Leader, Kent County Council..
Picture: Picture above was taken at a gathering recently at Dover Castle and shows left to right. Paul Watkins Leader of Dover District Council, Amanda Cottrell former High Sheriff of Kent and now head of tourism, and Paul Carter Leader of Kent County Council.
* * *
Now added below:
Gwyn Prosser's comment on this story.
Monday 26th: The big Election story in this neck of the woods and throughout Kent this morning is that the Conservative Leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, seen here on the righthandside of picture above, has expressed differences with the Conservative manifesto on schooling. The Big Society, as often espoused by Conservative leader David Cameron, is where groups of people, usually those dis-satisfied with their immediate established schools, can set up their own local schools and get funding for these local schools..irrespective of other local schools in their area. Paul Carter has expressed concerns that this kind of thing will simply take money out of the regular school network.
Paul Carter is responsible for one of the biggest, if not the biggest, school networks in the country with up to 600 schools under his charge, and as a consequence would know a thing or two about this particular situation. There has also been wider criticism of this schools idea, with voices saying it is a specifically well-to-do middle class notion, only for the leafier streets and suburbs of West London, and hardly likely to be absorbed as a working idea by the underclasses, ie those who need improved schooling the most.
This has caused some embarassment for the Tory campaign and Michael Gove, Shadow Children's Secretary, was on Radio4 this morning (monday) saying in effect that Paul Carter is re-examining what he said. Paul Boland.
* * * *
Following Paul Carter’s outspoken criticism of the Conservative’s education policy Gwyn Prosser said:
“My Labour colleagues and I have been describing the Tory plans to encourage parents to build their own schools as a recipe for disaster which would starve our existing schools of funding – and now the Leader of the UK's biggest shire council has spoken out and effectively endorsed our criticism.
“The KCC Tory Leader has warned Mr Cameron against, what he describes as: “destructive competition”, which would result from the free schools plans – and I agree with him. The Tory's free school fiasco has been exposed and now everyone knows that the policy would take funding away from our existing schools.
"Mr Carter carries a lot of clout in Tory circles and his strident criticism of his party’s proposals has well and truly shot down the Conservative’s main General Election flagship policy.”
Tuesday Latest ....Paul Carter Statement
on the Schools Story below.
Paul Carter Says:
As a result of the Today Programme (monday morning) I have had a number of emails to which I would like to respond as follows:
“I am 100% behind Michael Gove’s education plans, which will introduce more competition, give parents more choice and help drive up standards across the country.
“The BBC is trying to create a division between us that doesn’t exist.
“An issue I have been discussing with Michael is ensuring that funding between different types of schools is fair and equitable, and I’m totally confident that this would be the case with a Conservative government.”
It is interesting to quote verbatim from Michael Gove's excellent interview with the Today Programme's John Humphrys:
Michael Gove: "Paul is 100% supportive of our proposals. He backs an agenda of greater choice. He would like to see free schools established. The point that he makes, which I think we all agree with, is that we all do need to ensure that we do have a fair funding formula. One of the reasons why standards have improved in Kent is that Paul has welcomed competition. There are a wide variety of types of schools in Kent and it is that additional diversity."
Paul Carter, Leader, Kent County Council..
Picture: Picture above was taken at a gathering recently at Dover Castle and shows left to right. Paul Watkins Leader of Dover District Council, Amanda Cottrell former High Sheriff of Kent and now head of tourism, and Paul Carter Leader of Kent County Council.
* * *
Paul Carter out of step with Conservative HQ.
Now added below:
Gwyn Prosser's comment on this story.
Monday 26th: The big Election story in this neck of the woods and throughout Kent this morning is that the Conservative Leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, seen here on the righthandside of picture above, has expressed differences with the Conservative manifesto on schooling. The Big Society, as often espoused by Conservative leader David Cameron, is where groups of people, usually those dis-satisfied with their immediate established schools, can set up their own local schools and get funding for these local schools..irrespective of other local schools in their area. Paul Carter has expressed concerns that this kind of thing will simply take money out of the regular school network.
Paul Carter is responsible for one of the biggest, if not the biggest, school networks in the country with up to 600 schools under his charge, and as a consequence would know a thing or two about this particular situation. There has also been wider criticism of this schools idea, with voices saying it is a specifically well-to-do middle class notion, only for the leafier streets and suburbs of West London, and hardly likely to be absorbed as a working idea by the underclasses, ie those who need improved schooling the most.
This has caused some embarassment for the Tory campaign and Michael Gove, Shadow Children's Secretary, was on Radio4 this morning (monday) saying in effect that Paul Carter is re-examining what he said. Paul Boland.
* * * *
“I agree with Paul” says MP Gwyn Prosser, speaking before Paul Carter's re-alignment..
Following Paul Carter’s outspoken criticism of the Conservative’s education policy Gwyn Prosser said:
“My Labour colleagues and I have been describing the Tory plans to encourage parents to build their own schools as a recipe for disaster which would starve our existing schools of funding – and now the Leader of the UK's biggest shire council has spoken out and effectively endorsed our criticism.
“The KCC Tory Leader has warned Mr Cameron against, what he describes as: “destructive competition”, which would result from the free schools plans – and I agree with him. The Tory's free school fiasco has been exposed and now everyone knows that the policy would take funding away from our existing schools.
"Mr Carter carries a lot of clout in Tory circles and his strident criticism of his party’s proposals has well and truly shot down the Conservative’s main General Election flagship policy.”