Education in Britain
UK teaching unions stage token protest in North West
By Margot Miller, 1 May 2013
The timetable of rolling regional strikes is designed to have as little effect as possible.
National Union of Students complicit in British government attacks on students
By Thomas Scripps, 17 April 2013
The National Union of Students has launched a phoney campaign to “Bring Back” the Educational Maintenance Allowance, after previously sabotaging the opposition to its abolition.
UK: Privatisation agenda causing overcrowded schools and poor-quality education
By Joe Mount, 5 April 2013
The drive towards the privatisation of education in Britain is leading to a dire shortage of school places and poor-quality education provision.
UK teaching unions signal no resistance to cuts
By Jo March, 26 March 2013
Unions announce a timetable of rolling regional strikes, not scheduled to begin for three months.
Oppose the privatisation of education
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Britain), 20 March 2013
Public education in Britain is being eliminated and handed over to the private sector.
Britain: Student beaten by police finally found not guilty
By Joan Smith, 16 March 2013
Alfie Meadows, who was brutally beaten by police during the anti-tuition fees protests in 2010, was cleared of violent disorder.
Sussex University students and staff oppose privatisation
By Joe Mount, 2 March 2013
Hundreds of students and staff at the University of Sussex are protesting the outsourcing of non-academic jobs to privately owned companies.
UK Conservatives appoint major donor John Nash as education minister
By Jo March, 18 January 2013
The appointment of venture capitalist John Nash as British education minister hammers another nail in the coffin of public education.
Exposure of sex-for-fees web site underscores UK student poverty
By Aidan Claire and Joe Mount, 15 January 2013
The Independent reports on the existence of a web site offering students up to £15,000 a year to have sex with its clients.
UK government attacks teachers’ pay
By Margot Miller, 5 January 2013
UK teachers face the imposition of performance-based pay.
Privatisation agenda behind government threats against UK teachers
By Julie Hyland, 22 December 2012
The Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition intends to extend the conditions that exist in academies to all public schools, in preparation for the handing over of education to the private sector.
Government threatens UK teachers with pay cuts as punishment for industrial action
By Julie Hyland, 20 December 2012
By threatening teachers with pay cuts, the government intends to create a precedent that will be used against all public sector workers.
National Union of Students organises token London protest
By Zach Reed, 29 November 2012
Students marched through London on November 21 in protest against the trebling of tuition fees to £9,000 and cuts to education.
Court decision allows some London Metropolitan international students to remain in UK
By Jordan Shilton, 10 October 2012
London Metropolitan University has been granted the right to continue to offer courses to international students who are currently enrolled at the institution, the High Court has ruled.
Sharp fall in number of UK university students
By Zach Reed, 6 September 2012
The number of students applying for admission to universities in the UK has dropped by 8.9 percent compared to last year.
UK ex-left groups cover up collapsing support for education unions
By Tania Kent and Chris Marsden, 23 July 2012
Marches organised July 14 by the NUT and NASUWT in Sheffield and Oxford were billed as a major new initiative in the fight to defend public sector pensions.
London teachers’ union branch denounces betrayal of pensions dispute
By Jo March, 7 April 2012
It was a day that most members of the National Union of Teachers at Edward Wilson primary school never expected to see—the day they voted against strike action.
Trade unions isolate London teachers and lecturers strike
By our reporter, 30 March 2012
On Wednesday, members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and University and College Union (UCU) took 24-hour strike action in London to protest cuts in pension rights.
Cambridge University suspends PhD student for peaceful protest
By Paul Bond, 20 March 2012
Cambridge University has imposed an unprecedented seven-term suspension on a PhD student, Owen Holland, for his part in a peaceful protest last November.
Private companies poised for takeover of UK state education
By Harvey Thompson, 16 February 2012
Education Secretary Michael Gove has given the go-ahead for Breckland Middle School in Suffolk to be run under a £21 million contract by Swedish for-profit firm Internationella Engelska Skolan.
UK government supports plans for military schools
By Liz Smith, 8 February 2012
Respublica, a Conservative Party think tank supported by British Prime Minister David Cameron, has proposed the setting up of military schools within the British school system.
London primary school mounts legal challenge over academy status
By Harvey Thompson, 30 January 2012
Downhills Primary School in Haringey, north London, has launched a legal challenge to Education Secretary Michael Gove’s attempt to force it to become an academy.
London march against Academy status for schools
By Jo March, 30 January 2012
Over 1,000 London parents, children, teachers, and others protested government plans to force three local primaries to become academies.
UK schools threatened with closure or privatisation
By Jo Marsh, 5 December 2011
England’s schools inspectorate, Ofsted, is carrying out trials on the latest of a series of measures designed to pressure schools into either taking on academy status or facing closure.
West Yorkshire, UK parents and teachers march against school privatisation
By Barbara Slaughter, 30 November 2011
More than 200 parents, teachers and residents of Otley, West Yorkshire, marched Saturday to oppose the transformation of their local senior school into a privately run academy.
UK academies pay managers up to £280,000
By Harvey Thompson, 29 November 2011
Reports show that privately controlled Academy schools are using a significant slice of public funds to pay senior staff six-figure salaries.
British authorities launch “Total Policing” at student protest
By Robert Stevens, 11 November 2011
The policing of Wednesday’s students protest in London was unprecedented in its repressive character.
”Our future shouldn’t be determined by a few rich people”
Students at London demonstration speak
By our reporters, 11 November 2011
A reporting team from the World Socialist Web Site spoke to some of those participating in Wednesday’s student protest in London
London student protest: Defend education with class struggle methods
By International Students for Social Equality (UK), 9 November 2011
This statement is being distributed at today’s protest in London in defence of education.
UK students priced out of university education
By Jordan Shilton, 21 September 2011
A report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that the United Kingdom is the third most expensive place in the world to acquire a degree qualification.
University in UK being closed off to the working class
By Alana Gorton, 9 September 2011
This summer witnessed a mad scramble for university places in England and Wales as thousands of students tried desperately to secure one of a dwindling number of places.
Social inequality proved to impact educational performance in UK
By Tania Kent, 31 August 2011
Two newly released studies have reaffirmed that poverty is the most significant barrier in educational achievement.
One in six junior school children streamed in England
By Tania Kent, 4 July 2011
Research published by the Institute of Education has revealed that by the age of seven, one in six children is allocated a stream, placed into different classes on the basis of a judgment about their supposed academic ability.
Oxford dons vote “no confidence” in British education policy
By Dave Hyland, 14 June 2011
Last Tuesday lecturers at Oxford University voted overwhelmingly in support of a “no confidence” motion in the policies of David Willetts, education minister in the Conservative/Liberal-Democrat government.
Britain: Private college accelerates drive to make education a preserve of the rich
By Paul Bond, 11 June 2011
The establishment of the private New College of the Humanities (NCH) in London marks a qualitative shift in making higher education available only on the basis of wealth.
Scottish police break up anti-cuts protest at Strathclyde University
By Stephen Alexander, 8 June 2011
Last Thursday, police arrested two protesters among a peaceful demonstration against plans by Strathclyde University management to withdraw degree courses and axe jobs.
SEP candidate visits picket line at Sheffield College, Hillsborough
Striking lecturer: “You don’t feel valued, you just feel like a number”
By our reporters, 29 April 2011
Socialist Equality Party candidate Simon Walker visited the picket line of lecturers at Sheffield College Hillsborough site, close to the Walkley ward where he is standing in the local council elections.
Oppose university tuition fee hikes
Simon Walker (SEP candidate Sheffield Walkley)
By Simon Walker, 27 April 2011
The Socialist Equality Party opposes the decision of the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University to charge the near maximum tuition fees for students starting their studies in 2012.
Britain: Most universities to charge maximum tuition fees
By Zach Reed, 25 April 2011
Following the parliamentary vote to triple the cap on student tuition fees from £3290 to £9000 a year, there has been a stampede of universities indicating that they will charge the maximum.
Glasgow University student occupation continues despite police raid
By Steve James, 25 March 2011
Up to 100 police officers in at least 12 police vehicles, equipped with dogs and backed up with a helicopter, were mobilised March 22 to evict students and supporters from the former Hetherington Research Club at Glasgow University.
Hundreds in Manchester protest closure of Sure Start
By our reporters, 1 March 2011
Hundreds of parents and their children demonstrated outside Manchester Town Hall on Saturday to protest plans to close or privatise all the city’s 36 Sure Start children’s centres.
University of Glasgow makes £20 million cuts
By Stephen Alexander, 28 February 2011
The University of Glasgow in Scotland has announced plans to merge a number of academic departments and axe courses as it looks to make £20 million in efficiency savings by 2012-2013.
Trade unions seek to politically disarm opposition to UK education cuts
By Stephen Alexander, 8 February 2011
The latest demonstrations against the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government’s wholesale assault on education were the outcome of a concerted campaign by the trade union bureaucracy and various loyal pseudo-left formations to bring the student opposition under control.
British government consolidates two-tier education system
By Stephen Alexander, 1 February 2011
The Conservative/Liberal Democrat government is mounting an assault on every level of the public education system.
Protests in London and Manchester against education cuts
By our reporters, 31 January 2011
Demonstrations took place in London and Manchester on Saturday against the rise in college student tuition fees and the axing of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 16- to19-year-olds.
Rawmarsh school teachers strike against job cuts in Rotherham, UK
By Harvey Thompson, 17 January 2011
Teachers at Rawmarsh Community School (RCS) in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, started a three-day strike January 12, in protest over proposed job cuts
Labour Party and trade unions seek to bring UK education cuts protests under control
By Robert Stevens, 31 December 2010
The Save EMA campaign, formed in response to growing anger of education cuts in the UK, is not an oppositional movement, but a vehicle designed to promote illusions in the Labour Party and the trade unions.
Deep cuts and fee rises threaten future of Scottish education system
By Steven Alexander, 18 December 2010
The Scottish Nationalist Party government has announced a programme of cuts at all levels of education in Scotland.
Police-state tactics against protesters in Britain
By Robert Stevens, 13 December 2010
The repression of students, lecturers, school pupils and others protesting against the British Conservative-Liberal Democrat government is the worst seen in decades.
British student left with brain injury after police attacks on fees protest
By Chris Marsden, 11 December 2010
Alfie Meadows, 20, a student at Middlesex University, has suffered bleeding to the brain after being batoned by police during the December 9 tuition fees protest in London.
UK student protesters denounce fees hike and police violence
By our reporters, 11 December 2010
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to students involved in the London protest.
Police brutally attack protesters as UK parliament backs university fees hike
By Julie Hyland, 10 December 2010
Parliament voted to triple university tuition fees yesterday, as police brutally attacked student protesters they had trapped outside.
UK students protest prior to parliamentary vote on increased fees
By Julie Hyland, 9 December 2010
A day of action by student protesters was held Wednesday, ahead of today’s parliamentary vote to raise tuition fees.
UK government outlines frontal assault on education
By Jean Shaoul, 7 December 2010
The Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition’s Education White Paper is an attack on teachers, the right of children to a decent education and the state provision of education.
UK education protests subjected to police attack
By Robert Stevens, 2 December 2010
Students and school pupils continue to protest nationwide in their thousands to oppose government plans to raise tuition fees in England to £9,000 per year and the scrapping of the Education Maintenance Allowance.
“The banks make all the mistakes and we get the blame”
Students speak on UK education cuts
By our reporters, 2 December 2010
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to students participating in the demonstrations in London and Leeds.
Statement of the International Students for Social Equality (UK)
Britain: Which way forward for the student movement?
By International Students for Social Equality (UK), 30 November 2010
As students and school pupils in Britain organise a third day of action against the brutal cuts in education, it is necessary to review the experience so far.
SEP member addresses student occupation at the University of Manchester
By our reporter, 30 November 2010
On November 26, Jean Shaoul, a member of the Socialist Equality Party and professor at the Business School of the University of Manchester, was invited to speak to students occupying one of the university’s lecture theatres.
Repression of British students presages explosive class struggles
By Zach Reed, 22 November 2010
The witch-hunt and arrest of student protestors accused of involvement in the occupation of the Conservative Party headquarters must serve as a warning to all working people.
Students and academics condemn witch-hunt of anti-Tory protesters
By our reporters, 20 November 2010
This week the International Students for Social Equality (ISSE) distributed hundreds of copies of the statement, “Oppose the witch hunt of student protesters” at three universities in southern England—Southampton, Bournemouth and Winchester.
Oppose the witch-hunt of student protesters in Britain
By Socialist and International Students for Social Equality (Britain), 13 November 2010
The Socialist Equality Party and the International Students for Social Equality call on working people and students to oppose the vicious witch-hunt of those involved in the anti-education cuts protest at Conservative Party HQ.
UK students and academics voice anger at tuition fee hikes
By our reporters, 12 November 2010
Wednesday’s protest against the tripling of university tuition fees to £9,000 a year and savage cuts in funding attracted over 50,000 to London, both students and academics.
UK students march against cuts, occupy Conservative Party HQ
By Paul Mitchell, 11 November 2010
A march of more than 50,000 students and academics in London yesterday against the Conservative-Liberal Democratic coalition government’s education cuts ended in the occupation of the Tory Party’s headquarters and confrontations with riot police.
University tuition fees to more than double in UK
By Julie Hyland, 14 October 2010
Recommendations by Lord Browne on the funding of UK universities have been described as the “most radical shake-up” of higher education since the late 1960s.
Over 200,000 UK students denied university places
By Zach Reed, 12 October 2010
More than 200,000 prospective students in Britain have been denied a university place due to cuts in the higher education budget and government measures to limit numbers. This represents over a quarter of all applicants.
New private university signals drive to privatise higher education in Britain
By Zach Reed, 14 August 2010
BPP, a private company that possesses 14 sites around the UK providing law and business degrees, was granted “university college” status in July, creating the first private university in the UK for 30 years.
Hundreds of school rebuilds scrapped by British government
By Tania Kent and Liz Smith, 16 July 2010
The Conservative Party education secretary has announced the cancellation of the previous Labour government’s £55 billion school building programme, suspending projects for 715 new schools.
Glasgow University principal proposes cuts and rationalisations
By Stephen Alexander, 10 June 2010
On May 28, the principal of the University of Glasgow spoke at a meeting to justify cuts and the downsizing of the university.
British government introduces plans for market-driven school system
By Robert Stevens, 9 June 2010
The New Academies Bill will lay the basis for a market-driven, competitive system of schools, free from Local Authority control and increasingly run by the private sector.
Students and staff oppose suspensions following Middlesex University occupation
By Zach Reed, 31 May 2010
Around 200 students and staff protested at the Hendon campus, Middlesex University, on May 27 against the suspension of professors and students campaigning to save the Philosophy Department.
Britain: Middlesex University authorities close down student occupation
By Zach Reed, 24 May 2010
Middlesex University authorities have closed down a 12-day-long occupation of the Mansion Building by students on the Trent Park campus.
Scotland: Savage education cuts imminent
By Stephen Alexander, 21 May 2010
Recent reports have warned that Scottish universities will lose up to 20 percent of the £1.12 billion they currently receive in public funding.
Britain: The business of education under Labour—Part 3
By Jean Shaoul, 29 March 2010
This is the conclusion of a three-part series on the extent of the privatisation of state education under the Labour government.
Britain: The business of education under Labour—Part 2
By Jean Shaoul, 27 March 2010
This is the second of a three-part series on the extent of the privatisation of state education under the Labour government.
Britain: The business of education under Labour—Part 1
By Jean Shaoul, 26 March 2010
This is the first of a three-part series on the extent of the privatisation of state education under the Labour government.
Britain: ISSE addresses rally in support of six suspended Sussex University students
By Paul Mitchell, 15 March 2010
Over 500 students held a rally at Sussex University March 11, following a week of protests against education cuts and in support of students suspended for taking part in an occupation that was attacked by riot police.
Sussex University students protest police attacks
15 March 2010
ISSE speaks to Sussex University protesting police attacks and budget cuts
Britain: Six University of Sussex students suspended following occupation
By Zach Reed, 11 March 2010
Six University of Sussex students have been suspended by Vice-Chancellor Michael Farthing for allegedly taking part in a peaceful occupation in Sussex House on March 3. Farthing informed the students of their suspension via e-mail.
Britain: Dartington College of Arts to close
By Joe Mount, 10 March 2010
Dartington College of Arts, a small academic institution in Devon, England, will close this autumn.
Britain: Government’s flagship academy schools failing
By Harvey Thompson, 24 February 2010
The government’s attempt to push ahead with its state-funded but privately run school academies programme continues despite growing evidence of their lack of educational value, and in the face of popular opposition.
Britain: Students mount 24-hour occupation at Sussex University
By Zach Reed, 12 February 2010
Over 100 students occupied the Terrace Room at the Bramber House Conference Centre at the University of Sussex on February 8 until the evening of the next day in protest against cuts being imposed by the university management.
Britain: Universities slash jobs, close campuses
By Robert Stevens, 11 February 2010
Universities in the UK have begun to slash staff and new student numbers, wind up courses and even close whole campuses as the impact of government cuts takes hold.
Britain: Labour government cuts deny university access to 200,000
By Robert Stevens, 5 February 2010
Over 200,000 young people are to be denied a place at English universities in the next academic year due to huge funding cuts imposed by the Labour Party government.
A socialist programme needed to defend education in Britain
By Robert Stevens, 26 January 2010
Following spending reductions for education in December totalling £398 million for 2010-11, it is estimated that total cuts over the next three years in Britain will be around £900 million. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies the cuts may reach £2.5 billion.
Britain: Abbeydale Grange School’s closure agreed by Sheffield Council
By Tania Kent and Liz Smith, 26 January 2010
The Liberal Democrat-led Sheffield Council voted unanimously to close Abbeydale Grange School on December 9. The decision was met with anger and dismay by many staff, students and parents who have campaigned tirelessly to save the school since the proposal for closure was officially announced in July.
UK government slashes funding for astronomy and physics
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2010
The Science and Technology Facilities Council has announced significant cuts in the funding of science in the UK.
Britain: Government announces £400 million education cuts for new year
By Robert Stevens, 5 January 2010
Lord Peter Mandelson, the secretary of state for Business, Innovation & Skills, announced massive cuts in university funding just before the New Year.
Britain: Leaked document reveals escalating attack on higher and further education
By Robert Stevens, 7 December 2009
In the last weeks, hundreds of job losses and department closures have been announced at universities and colleges in Britain as the direct result of government funding cuts.
Britain: Sussex students protest cuts
By our reporters, 7 December 2009
Up to 300 students and staff protested last Thursday against proposed cuts at the University of Sussex, Brighton, England.
Britain: Oppose the closure of Abbeydale Grange! Defend public education for all!
By Tania Kent and Colleen Smith, 24 November 2009
On November 21 up to 150 parents, pupils, staff and supporters from Abbeydale Grange School in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England marched to oppose its proposed closure.
Parents, pupils speak out over Abbeydale Grange closure
By our reporters, 24 November 2009
A World Socialist Web Site reporting team spoke to a number of those on the demonstration to oppose the closure of Abbeydale Grange school in Sheffield on November 21.
Demonstration against closure of Abbeydale Grange School
24 November 2009
Up to 150 parents, pupils and staff marched through the city and demonstrated on November 21 outside the Town Hall in Sheffield, England to oppose the proposed closure of Abbeydale Grange School.
Britain: The Cambridge review
A damning refutation of Labour’s education lies
By Tania Kent, 16 November 2009
A recently published study, the “Cambridge Primary Review: Children, their World, their Education”, is a damning critique of the destructive impact of Labour’s policies on an entire generation of children.
Britain: Thousands of jobs threatened in higher and further education
By Robert Stevens, 21 October 2009
Thousands of job cuts are being implemented at higher and further education institutions throughout the UK.
Britain’s bosses call for university tuition hike
By Joseph Mount, 13 October 2009
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has released a report demanding that the government raise university tuition fees from £3,225 to at least £5,000 a year.
Britain: Businesses to control more state schools as government-backed academies fail
By Harvey Thompson, 26 September 2009
The start of the new school term has seen a welter of government activity in support of the expansion of its privately run academies programme, even as the educational value of these institutions is discredited.
OECD report cites higher education crisis in Britain
By Robert Stevens, 16 September 2009
The annual report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Education at a Glance, points to a developing crisis in the higher education sector in Britain.
Britain to continue privately run school academies
By Harvey Thompson, 31 August 2009
As the new academic year approaches, the Brown Labour government plans to push ahead with its flagship privately run school academies.
Britain: Protests continue against closure of Abbeydale Grange secondary school
By Robert Stevens, 21 July 2009
Parents, pupils and staff protested outside the Town Hall in Sheffield, South Yorkshire on July 17 to oppose the closure of Abbeydale Grange School.
Britain: Sheffield City Council votes to close Abbeydale Grange School
By Robert Stevens, 10 July 2009
On July 8, Liberal Party-led Sheffield City Council voted to close Abbeydale Grange secondary school in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
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