Writings

Latest news and reviews

The Verso website is doing a great job of tracking the impact of School Wars, and also summarising the main reviews so far. Below, the latest schedule for talks and debates 20-Sep School Wars New Statesman/Liberal Democrat Conference 21-Sep School Wars University of Leicester debate: Comprehensive School Education – Policy Mistake, Lost Ideal or Model… Continue reading…

School wars heat up

Things get a little heated on Woman’s Hour this morning. Me v Anne McElvoy. Decide for yourself. And Michael Gove personally attacks founders of Local Schools Network in the Evening Standard. Continue reading…

Two reviews of School Wars

Anthony Seldon in today’s Observer Andy Beckett in The Guardian yesterday Continue reading…

The Big Debate

How do we make our schools fit to face the 21st century?
Five experts explore the future of British education in this round-table discussion, as the government initiative for free schools is launched Continue reading…

Mirror, mirror…….

Yup, I go tabloid at last. Love David Cameron’s Mr Chips hat.. Continue reading…

Keeping faith in comprehensives

Melissa Benn still believes the public can see the benefits of the classic comprehensive school system
Education has the potential to create a “common culture” according to Melissa Benn. Continue reading…

Free Schools, Exams And The Battle For Britain’s Education

Interview in the Huffington Post Continue reading…

Follow me on Twitter

@Melissa_Benn I am a reluctant convert – but my publishers ordered me onto the twittersphere in preparation for publication. But already, I am finding it a really useful source of information and an interesting forum for a certain kind of debate. Good for literacy skills too! Continue reading…

Some more debate……

Some of my recent articles, largely debating the issues that arise out of School Wars. New Statesman: round up of left thinkers’ views on the riots and family values Prospect magazine: debate with Rachel Wolf, director of the New Schools Network, on the merits or otherwise of free schools. Financial Times: commentary on Toby Young… Continue reading…

School Wars: upcoming events

  Some of the events I will be doing over the next few weeks and months. September 21, 2011 / The Court Room, Glaziers Hall Melissa Benn: Comprehensive School Education – Policy Mistake, Lost Ideal or Model for the Future? Part of the University of Leicester ‘The Floor is Yours’ debate series September 25, 2011… Continue reading…