Summary: The panel debate the motion ‘State education is a comprehensive disaster’. Chaired by Sheena McDonald. Arguing for the motion are Professor Chris Woodhead, Melanie Phillips, and Claire Fox. Professor Chris Woodhead argues that the state has failed to discharge its duty: the education system has failed and radical change is necessary. He suggests that international models of competitive education would drive up standards quickly and reduce costs, but the political will required appears not to be shared by all parties. Melanie Phillips states that educational standards have comprehensively collapsed, and that the state has played a leading role in this process. She argues that, through grade inflation, the level of attainment has dropped, and the examination benchmark is now worthless. Philips suggests that with the professionalisation of education, theories that were inimical to education became overly important. Claire Fox recalls favourably the pioneers of state education, whom she says had a clear project in mind that has since been corrupted. She believes that the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake should not have been derided as elitist, and feels that teaching today is no longer focused on knowledge but on social policy. Inclusion in education, she suggests, leads to a contempt for knowledge. Arguing against the motion are Sir Tim Brighouse, Professor Anthony Giddens, and Fiona Millar. Sir Tim Brighouse looks first at higher education, noting the increase in the number of women who attend university, as well as the important success of the Open University in establishing itself as a leading institution. He believes that state education has innovated and plays down – and even disputes – the statistics used by Chris Woodhead. Professor Anthony Giddens believes that education is more crucial to our society than it has ever been before. This is because education is a civilising device and the knowledge economy is an increasing reality, with 80% of the UK population now in knowledge or service-based occupations. He therefore thinks it absolutely imperative that we expand education. Contrary to Melanie Philips, Gidden's feels that students today are better prepared and more competitive than previous generations, and that the whole level of achievement has shifted upwards. Fiona Millar hopes to represent the many parents whose children attend state schools and see nothing but success, declaring that to do well in school today children have to work extremely hard. While she admits there is room for improvement, the way to produce this is to make our state schools even more comprehensive. She has seen no evidence that returning to selection will help students attending failing schools. First Vote: 188 For, 102 Against, 66 Don't know Final Vote: 227 For, 122 Against, 19 Don't know The motion is passed by 105 votes
