Euro-MP blasts discounted places plans for private schools

Derek Clark

A Northamptonshire MEP has attacked plans to force private schools to offer free and discounted places to less well-off pupils.
Euro-MP Derek Clark, who represents the East Midlands region which includes Hunsbury and the surrounding area, has slammed the plans as 'blackmail'.
The Charity Commission plans aim to help fund places for talented pupils at private schools.
In an interview with The Independent last year, the chairman of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) David Levin backed the plans saying: "We are trying to reverse this dearth, this shortage of children taking traditional subjects at prestigious universities." But UKIP member Mr Clark, a former teacher with 39 years experience including eight years in the independent sector, said it could jeopardise the future of some schools.
He said: "UKIP is appalled independent schools could be forced to provide bursaries to any children in return for their charitable status - that sounds a bit like blackmail.

"Without doubt it would jeopardise the future of many private schools. Private schools exist because many parents want them, if the state system was deemed to be adequate independent schools would not exist."

He added: "Independent schools already, between them, offer bursaries totalling more than £200m last year.

"Even with bursaries there is an extra cost to parents who are already paying taxes to support the state system.

"UKIP supports grammar schools and would aim to increase their number. We also support the school voucher scheme whereby a voucher equivalent to the average cost of state schooling can be used as part payment to a school of the family’s choice. It would be available for use in state, private or faith schools.

"Rather than this petty war on independent schools the government should be fully engaged in raising the educational standard of children everywhere."

He called on the Government to re-focus on the basics - the three 'R's' and the essentials of history, geography and science.