Nick Clegg vs school freedom

Nick Clegg’s aides have been briefing the Sunday newspapers saying (in effect) that he that he’s had enough of this school freedom malarkey. Certain head teachers are using their new liberties in ways of which he disapproves. So if he’s in government after the next election, he’ll curtail these freedoms somehow. He’s chosen to enter the squabble over ‘qualified’ teachers (a canard, explained below). He also proposes curtailing freedoms teachers have been given over the curriculum. But the more important overall point is that he’s positioning himself as being opposed to Michael Gove’s reforms.

‘Clegg turns on Michael Gove over his ‘ideological’ school reforms’ says The Observer (right). The Independent on Sunday has a similar story. Clegg is planning a speech where he will say

“Parents don’t want ideology to get in the way of their children’s education”

In itself, an uncontroversial statement. But for those in the know, it’s a dog whistle. The i-word is the accusation that the unions level at Tories who trust teachers to teach.