Last night I spoke at the Oxford Union, debating the motion, "This House Would Abolish Private Schools". I spoke against the motion, alongside Barnaby Lenon, the ex-headmaster of Harrow, and Graham Stuart MP, the Chairman of the Education Select Committee. Speaking for the motion were James Westhead of TeachFirst, John Brennan, director of the Centre for Higher Education Research and Information, and Kevin Brennan MP, the shadow schools minister. Here's the speech I gave.
I want to start by agreeing with the honourable members on the other side. The fact that only seven per cent of the British population attended independent schools, yet 75% of judges, 70% of finance directors and 45% of top civil servants have been privately educated is iniquitous. Unquestionably, private schools have a good deal to answer for when it comes to the preservation of the English class system. I share the belief on the other side of this house that we need to do something about this. I went to three state schools. I’ve just set up a school in West London that I regard as a comprehensive in the true sense of the word. If we want more equality of opportunity in this country, something has to be done to level the playing field. Social justice, not to mention our economic well-being, demands it. We all agree about all of that. (To read more, click here.)
