Public schools and exams (1&2)

Yes, Eleanor Doughty, many do feel aggrieved by public schools, "with their charitable status", "old boys` network", and "often excellent results", but its got nothing to do with the Tory idea of "politics of envy" (Looking confident takes you a long way, 14/07/18). It has far more to do with unfairness. We are now learning more about schools in the public sector entering their pupils for IGCSE and Pre-U examinations, both organised by Cambridge Assessment, which is not a member of the Joint Council for Qualifications which monitors all other exam boards. A recent FOI request revealed Pre-U results with huge percentages of entrants obtaining A/A* grades. 

 Our state-funded universities should be forced to accept only A-level grades as entry qualifications. Why should public school pupils be given even more advantages than pupils from our seriously underfunded state schools? 

Chantal Mouffe argues that the "populist left" has gained ground by "drawing a frontier between the people and the oligarchy", with Jon Trickett adding that failure to "take seriously the widespread feeling of disruption and alienation" plays into the right`s hands (How radical left populism was reborn, 13th July, 2018). There is a difference, however, between the right`s tactic of "feeding off people`s fears", and what Labour is doing, which is adopting policies to correct unpalatable activity; sadly, still more are needed

     In education, for example, the new "rigorous" GCSE exams must be taken in state schools, but not in the independent sector, where the easier IGCSE is allowed. Similarly, many public schools, and some high-performing state schools, are opting out of A-levels, preferring Pre-U examinations, which, like IGCSEs, are organised by Cambridge Assessment. These exams are mostly set and marked by public school teachers, and unsurprisingly perhaps, have much higher percentages of A*/A grades. Cambridge Assessment is not a member of the Joint Council for Qualifications, the body which represents all of the other awarding bodies, and which ensures standards between the exam boards are fair and comparable.

 Is it any wonder social mobility is in decline, and places in the so-called "top" universities are dominated by entrants from independent schools? When success in education is being manoeuvred to favour the few, the left must unite to ensure the return of equality of opportunity.