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I don't really see how this is relevant for the CRE – more for the school |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The CRE was established in 1987 by a group of 14 parents and teachers,<ref>[http://www.cre.org.uk/about_us.html "About Us"] Campaign for Real Education</ref> although it was effectively a one-man organisation led by Nick Seaton, who ran it from a bedroom in his home near [[York]].<ref name=TES>[https://www.tes.com/news/obituary-nick-seaton-1936-2012 "Obituary – Nick Seaton, 1936–2012"] ''Times Educational Supplement'', London. 4 January 2013</ref> It gained national attention after intervening in a dispute at [[Priory School, Lewes|Lewes Priory School]] over whether pupils should sit [[GCE Ordinary Level|O Levels]] or [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSEs]]. Two teachers who pressed for students to sit the O Level were sacked. |
The CRE was established in 1987 by a group of 14 parents and teachers,<ref>[http://www.cre.org.uk/about_us.html "About Us"] Campaign for Real Education</ref> although it was effectively a one-man organisation led by Nick Seaton, who ran it from a bedroom in his home near [[York]].<ref name=TES>[https://www.tes.com/news/obituary-nick-seaton-1936-2012 "Obituary – Nick Seaton, 1936–2012"] ''Times Educational Supplement'', London. 4 January 2013</ref> It gained national attention after intervening in a dispute at [[Priory School, Lewes|Lewes Priory School]] over whether pupils should sit [[GCE Ordinary Level|O Levels]] or [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSEs]]. Two teachers who pressed for students to sit the O Level were sacked. One of them, Chris McGovern, later became a headteacher in the independent sector and the CRE's chairman.<ref name=TES/> |
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==Views== |
==Views== |
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The group campaigns to "press for higher standards and more [[School choice|parental choice]] in state education," and supports [[grammar school]]s. Among its concerns are [[truancy]], low educational and behavioural standards, mismanagement of school funding, and what it describes as "faddish" teaching methods such as [[Student-centred learning|child-centred learning]]. It opposes the teaching of [[sociology]] and [[politics]]. It has been critical of anti-racism and anti-sexism campaigns,<ref name=RSS>Roberta S. Sigel, Marilyn B. Hoskin (2013) ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q5doKnc2wJoC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=Campaign+for+Real+Education+right+wing&source=bl&ots=Zl-dzdPC_N&sig=A1PNbMSiGATvCfsmHN4KwCyulfA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-KOFVbn9F4HXUfaOgeAB&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Campaign%20for%20Real%20Education%20right%20wing&f=false Education for Democratic Citizenship: A Challenge for Multi-ethnic Societies]'', Routledge, p41</ref> though chairman Chris McGovern has stated that "children should be taught to have respect for their peers, whatever their background or colour".<ref>Herbert, Dean (24 February 2014). [https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/461462/Scandal-of-the-primary-school-racists "Scandal of the primary school 'racists'"]. ''Daily Express''. London. Retrieved 18 April 2018.</ref> |
The group campaigns to "press for higher standards and more [[School choice|parental choice]] in state education," and supports [[grammar school]]s. Among its concerns are [[truancy]], low educational and behavioural standards, mismanagement of school funding, and what it describes as "faddish" teaching methods such as [[Student-centred learning|child-centred learning]]. It opposes the teaching of [[sociology]] and [[politics]]. It has been critical of anti-racism and anti-sexism campaigns,<ref name=RSS>Roberta S. Sigel, Marilyn B. Hoskin (2013) ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q5doKnc2wJoC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=Campaign+for+Real+Education+right+wing&source=bl&ots=Zl-dzdPC_N&sig=A1PNbMSiGATvCfsmHN4KwCyulfA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-KOFVbn9F4HXUfaOgeAB&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Campaign%20for%20Real%20Education%20right%20wing&f=false Education for Democratic Citizenship: A Challenge for Multi-ethnic Societies]'', Routledge, p41</ref> though chairman Chris McGovern has stated that "children should be taught to have respect for their peers, whatever their background or colour".<ref>Herbert, Dean (24 February 2014). [https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/461462/Scandal-of-the-primary-school-racists "Scandal of the primary school 'racists'"]. ''Daily Express''. London. Retrieved 18 April 2018.</ref> |
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== The 1989 House of Lords debate on the treatment of the 'Lewes Two' - Chris McGovern and Dr. Anthony Freeman <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1989/jul/21/teacher-redeployment-east-sussex|title=Teacher Redeployment, East Sussex (Hansard, 21 July 1989)|website=api.parliament.uk|access-date=2019-12-23}}</ref> == |
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The treatment of the two Lewes teachers was debated in the House of Lords on 21<sup>st</sup> July 1989. Introducing the debate, deputy-speaker Baroness Cox (Con) said the case ''raises a number of serious issues of apparent injustice, of freedom, both of professional practice and of parental choice, and of education.'' |
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She pointed out that the ‘''teachers concerned, Mr. McGovern and Dr. Freeman, both have impressive professional track records, individually and in the achievements of the history department in which they worked and of which Mr. McGovern was head. Between them they have four academic degrees, including a First-Class Honours degree and a Ph.D., and over 30 years' experience of teaching. Their department was outstandingly successful. Its courses for GCE, CSE and GCSE became the most popular options at Lewes Priory School, with'' excellent results ''across the ability range, from Oxbridge entrants to average and below average ability pupils.'' |
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''They were greatly appreciated by their students. I have here a letter sent by their pupils expressing support for them and also expressing concern at the way in which their education has been jeopardised. But Mr. McGovern's career as a secondary school teacher ended today . . .’'' |
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She added: ''Those are tragic outcomes in which two superb history teachers have been obliged, under duress, to accept posts which deny them the opportunity to make a professional contribution commensurate with their capabilities. That is personally humiliating and professionally insulting. It also deprives the pupils of their expertise and commitment and is a gross misuse of valuable resources; for there can be no more valuable resource than dedicated, experienced teachers with proven records of success appreciated by parents and pupils.'' |
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A House of Commons motion in support of the two teachers was signed by over fifty MPs and was referenced by Baroness Cox: |
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''An Early Day Motion in another place, signed by more than 50 honourable Members, deplores what it describes as, a vindictive forcing from their jobs", of those two teachers. The events which I have outlined and which, given more time, I could amplify and substantiate in great detail, appear to me to merit that descriptive epithet of "vindictive".'' |
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A former education minister, Baroness Young (Con) stated that the teachers ‘had done a public service’ and expressed a concern that ‘the treatment of the teachers may well inhibit others speaking out.’ Eminent historian, Lord Beloff (Con), noted that, ‘sympathy has been expressed, and rightly expressed, for two admirable teachers who through no fault of their own have been deprived of an opportunity to exercise their professional skills.’ He added that, ‘the record of the Department of Education and Science with regard to this long drawn out problem hardly bears examining.’ He added that the case was ‘not a party matter’. |
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Lord Beloff informed the Lords that he had done ‘a little work for the Secretary of State preceding his own investigation’ and ‘was perplexed that any body of men and women [the governing body of Lewes Priory School] could take the line that they did in persecuting these teachers.’ He described the situation as a ‘scandal’ and ‘something for which the Government willl get no credit if they try to bury it.’ |
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The Labour Party leader in the Lords, Lord Peston (Lab), said that he would like to ''‘emphasise that this is not a party matter . . . We are indebted to the noble Baroness, Lady Cox, for introducing the debate.’'' He went to point out that: |
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‘''the local authority did not seem to have the courage to face up to the issue and say, "We are going to discipline you. We shall take you through the whole set of procedures". Without suggesting that it looks like a conspiracy, one must smell a rat. . .'' |
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''What therefore is to happen? We have these people. Prima facie they have been subject to injustice. There is also the waste of assets. The Secretary of State cannot merely wash his hands of the matter . . I make the point for the sake of this country's education system.'' |
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Lord Henley(Con) responded for the government and was heavily criticised for being inadequately informed. A frustrated Lord Peston(Lab) interjected: |
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''My Lords, perhaps I am just extremely ratty on a hot Friday afternoon, but this will not do . . . We cannot go on with this briefing, which, with no disrespect to the noble Lord himself, I find most unattractive and quite unacceptable.'' |
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Lady Young offered a way forward: |
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''Every noble Lord who has spoken this afternoon feels very strongly on the subject . . . we should like to have an undertaking from him that will himself raise with the Secretary of State the concerns expressed this afternoon and indicate that it is the wish of everyone who took part in the debate that there should be an inquiry into this matter.'' |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* |
*[[Campaign for State Education]] – seeks to promote [[comprehensive school]]s. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* |
*[http://www.cre.org.uk Official website] |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
Revision as of 19:16, 23 December 2019
Abbreviation | CRE |
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Formation | 1987 |
Legal status | Non-profit organisation |
Purpose | Educational standards and parental choice in the UK |
Location | |
Region served | UK |
Chairman | Chris McGovern |
Website | CRE |
The Campaign for Real Education (CRE) is a right-wing pressure group and non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom that advocates for traditional education, greater parental choice in schooling, and less state regulation of subjects that children study.[1]
History
The CRE was established in 1987 by a group of 14 parents and teachers,[2] although it was effectively a one-man organisation led by Nick Seaton, who ran it from a bedroom in his home near York.[3] It gained national attention after intervening in a dispute at Lewes Priory School over whether pupils should sit O Levels or GCSEs. Two teachers who pressed for students to sit the O Level were sacked. One of them, Chris McGovern, later became a headteacher in the independent sector and the CRE's chairman.[3]
Views
The group campaigns to "press for higher standards and more parental choice in state education," and supports grammar schools. Among its concerns are truancy, low educational and behavioural standards, mismanagement of school funding, and what it describes as "faddish" teaching methods such as child-centred learning. It opposes the teaching of sociology and politics. It has been critical of anti-racism and anti-sexism campaigns,[4] though chairman Chris McGovern has stated that "children should be taught to have respect for their peers, whatever their background or colour".[5]
See also
- Campaign for State Education – seeks to promote comprehensive schools.
References
- ^ Dictionary of British Education, Peter Gordon and Denis Lawton (2004) Routledge, p34
- ^ "About Us" Campaign for Real Education
- ^ a b "Obituary – Nick Seaton, 1936–2012" Times Educational Supplement, London. 4 January 2013
- ^ Roberta S. Sigel, Marilyn B. Hoskin (2013) Education for Democratic Citizenship: A Challenge for Multi-ethnic Societies, Routledge, p41
- ^ Herbert, Dean (24 February 2014). "Scandal of the primary school 'racists'". Daily Express. London. Retrieved 18 April 2018.