The Department for Education and Government Equalities Office must have a contingency plan available to deploy immediately, updating the necessary guidance to ensure that schools can remain true to their ethos.
Should we enforce secularism, with religious differences subsumed in a single ethos? Or should we make allowances for faith’s demands, potentially undermining community cohesion and the comfort of others?
Is teacher-supervised brushing for three to five-year-olds any more absurd than banning anyone born after 2009 from ever legally buying a cigarette?
To make progress over the coming year, the Party needs to reach out to more voters and the danger is that fighting culture wars just puts people off.
Those at the bottom of the economic pyramid do often have both the least control over their children’s educational experience – and could benefit the most from it.
Just as with immigration, there is a limit to what even the most combative minister can do if the legislative and institutional factors underpinning an issue are not addressed.
But just 16 per cent of White British pupils eligible for free school meals leave school with adequate qualifications to even apply for university. This cannot be explained away by the odd family member making snitty comments.
An inspection by a person who demonstrably knows less about the work than those in the setting they are inspecting, is professionally insulting and must stop.
Devolution was supposed to mean that different parts of the UK could experiment, with best practice eventually being taken up elsewhere to the benefit of all. Instead, devocrats have often done everything they can to thwart cross-border comparisons altogether.
Governments who want to set out a clear vision for their electorates need to have an accessible story that explains their direction, aims and values. Here are some core conservative beliefs with which to start.
Of course, children have a right to a voice, but protests should be occurring at the weekend or in holidays – not on school time.
Monday’s speech and today’s announcement show them choosing their ground for the next election. And since Hunt may find no money for further tax cuts next spring, the option of a May general election is opening up.
Pupils do not have a fixed level of ability, but they do have a starting point. Teaching not matched to this will not work, however much is spent on it, and however much energy expended in promoting it.
We hurl abuse at here-today-gone-tomorrow politicians and their advisers, while the permanent state flourishes like a green bay tree.
A remarkable amount has been achieved. Often against the odds and in the face of adversity. And certainly in circumstances far less benign than those faced by New Labour.