A Christian academy state school which already operates longer school days has backed proposals by the Education Secretary to introduce the system across all state institutions, but warns the government to properly fund the changes.
Michael Gove is aiming to drive up standards to the point where they become indistinguishable from schools who take in fee-paying students by introducing tougher discipline measures. Delivering a keynote speech at the London Academy of Excellence, Michael Gove said he also wants to see extra-curricular activities introduced: "Sports class, orchestras and choirs, schools plays, cadets, debating competitions; all of these things help to build character and to instill grit, to give children's talents an opportunity to grow and to allow them to discover new talents."
Hailing the achievements of academies and free schools, which are already able to run longer school days, Mr Gove said he would be providing resources to allow all state schools to extend the day
Principal at St Alban's Christian Academy in Birmingham, David Gould told Premier's Des Busteed on the News Hour its had a very positive impact on the students at his school:
Mr Gove also encouraged more testing of children after Labour dropped key stage three testing at 14, saying that along with the national curriculum tests at age 11, children should sit exams at 13.
Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Revd Stephen Platten, has also welcomed the proposals, but urged the government to make sure a fair working pattern for teachers would be adhered to:
The Education Secretary, who is currently embroiled in a growing row over his decision to remove the chairman of Ofsted, suggested state schools should adopt the Common Entrance test papers. He also encouraged them to use the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) tests to check pupils' progress against international peers. Labour is accusing Mr Gove of "politicising" education after it was announced Labour peer Baroness Morgan of Huyton would not be asked to stay on for a second three-year term at the helm of the school inspections watchdog. The party claims he's trying to surround himself with "yes men" and Tory sympathisers as it was suggested he is looking to fill the role with the Conservative donor and private equity boss Theodore Agnew. Mr Gove has said he would not rule anyone out on the basis of their political allegiance.