Privatisation and Education

All notes taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7KE0SlzC0&t=339s

What is privatisation?

• Transfer of assets and resources from state control into the hands of the private sector

• Neo-liberal economic policy dominant in the UK since 1979 has looked to create a ‘small state’

• Differs from private education- fee-paying schools not directly funded by government

What is privatisation within the education system?

• Schools operating like private businesses

  • Performance targets

  • Marketing

  • Greater efficiency and profitability

• Schools able to opt out of LEA control and manage themselves

• Academisation- importing business principles into education establishments

What does privatisation do to the education system?

• Outsourcing of services within education private companies

  • Growth of academy trusts

  • Educational consultants

  • Examination services

  • Developing educational brands

  • Private investment in school buildings

What are the contemporary applications of privatisation?

• Range of academy trusts operating large numbers of sites:

  • 738 academy trusts operating in the UK

    • 13 MATs have 26 or more schools

  • Growth of exam boards, such as Pearson, supply exam materials globally

What are the criticisms of privatisation?

• Control over the curriculum by companies could influence the content taught

• Cola-isation of schools (Stephen Ball)

• Focus on profit rather than progress- some courses/services are cut if unprofitable

• Academics can use untrained and unqualified teachers

• Can opt out of National Curriculum