However in many cases Labour have just kept Conservative policy. SATs have remained since introduced in 88 despite heavy criticism. OFSTED have remained as the schools inspectors, University expansion has continued although the Conservatives now oppose it. Compulsory Competitive Tendering has remained. Labour have continued to name and shame failing schools, which has produced schools such as the Phoenix school. And policies that go completely against traditional Labour policy have remained such as Private schools maintaining their charity status meaning they don’t have to pay taxes, although the only charitable service they provide is taking money from affluent families to teach their children. Although they have set up a commission to look into this issue, it is likely they will continue their Trend of taking no notice of these commission’s reports. Labour have continued with the National Curriculum although it is widely seen as a good thing.
However Labour have managed to change quite a few things. One example is the increase of Tuition fees for University by introducing Top Up Fees, which is a fee all must pay to attend University, although families with lower incomes don’t have to pay as much as higher earning families, they have to pay more than they would have under the previous system, this led to massive debate and criticism with many arguing Labour were introducing something that went against their fundamental policies of equality whatever the wealth as now some people could be priced out of going to University.
Labour have introduced some policies, which have been widely regarded as constructive, worthwhile and effective. Reducing class sizes especially for younger pupils has worked well, as have the new Educational Maintenance Allowance, which gives up to £30 a week to students from low income families if they have full of very near full attendance. This has been regarding as a good policy as it encourages children who tend to be the worst attending and achieving, to attend and therefore give them a better chance to achieve. It also means the onus on them to get a job for money is lowered or they can work fewer hours. They have also allowed Sikh and Islamic schools for the first time following on from the policy to widen participation which the EMA was also part of. They have also introduced state nurseries for children of 4 to help this.
Some of Labour’s more criticised policies have been the huge increase in classroom assistants and their powers, which although relieve pressure off teachers have led to less skilled teaching of students by the assistants who have the power to cover and take lessons. Performance Related pay for teachers was introduced although it could be argued it is impossible to measure a teacher’s performance as it may not just be their teaching ability which led to good or bad results from the students. Labour have introduced gifted and talented and excellence in cities for higher achieving students which is aimed to increase their chances and give them further opportunities, although many argue it is actually the lower achieving students which need the extra help.
Targets in schools are also a very contentious issue with many believing there is too much interference from the state to schools, and targets turning students into figures and statistics rather than individuals. Labour have also made languages optional post 14 and introduced literacy and numeracy hours, all of which has been argued against by many teachers who believe language is an important but dwindling talent amongst the British public, and see literacy and numeracy hours as a waste of time and unnecessary.
Labour have completely reformed the A level system, which many people have agreed with, this is also the sort of revolutionary policy Labour should be associated with doing.
Overall Labour have indisputably continued many Tory policies. Some of the policies they have introduced themselves would be policies not out of place being proposed by the Tories. However policies seen as more inclusive as helping disadvantage students such as state nurseries for 4 year olds, EMA and the end of assisted places have been introduced. Labour’s education policy matches their polices for many things such as health which has also had an increase in bureaucracy due to things like targets and league tables. Also schools work towards targets rather than specifically on the success of the students. Labour have invested more money into education than the Conservatives, which is a more traditional Labour idea. There have been few revolutionary policies with the exception of A level reform and top up fees and considering Labour’s record breaking large majority this is surprising. Labour’s lack of change from Conservative policy is just an example of New Labour and their similarity to the Tories.
