You're talking about long term economic control, I'm talking about control of the curriculum. These free schools can be opened up and run by any old [Poor language removed] like Toby Young or sponsored by Pepsi or Coke. D'you think [Poor language removed] like that aren't going to edge teaching down some free market ideologiical cul-de-sac churning out tomorrows neo-Thatcherite children of the damned?
*sigh*
You have to laugh really Dave. I mean there are countless studies out there saying that school leavers lack the skills needed to be of value to employers right now, yet you bemoan those same employers having a say in the education children receive. Surely it would make sense if the employment market requires Skill A that they influence the education system to ensure Skill A is produced?
I mean I dare say you support apprenticeships, yet they're absolutely no different at all. It's still an employer providing an education to a young person with the aim of employing them at the end. I doubt many would accuse apprenticeships as some kind of Thatcherite brain washing program.