Francis Beckett

Politics

A poor start for a brave new world

• 02 April 2001

Francis Beckett asks if Britain's FE colleges, with their underpaid lecturers and champagne-swigging principals, can really give us all lifelong learning

Politics

Bring back the right to strike

• 12 March 2001

Francis Beckett explains why "everybody out" is now a cry so rarely heard from British workers

Politics

The end of Blunkett's grand illusion

• 19 February 2001

Business won't put money in state schools unless it also gets control. Labour's latest plan suggests that ministers now understand this. Francis Beckett reports

Politics

Which of these two men is the real education secretary? (not the one you think)

• 16 October 2000

Politics

When Mary had a little form to fill

• 02 October 2000

Francis Beckett marvels at the dense paperwork imposed on teachers to get a £2,000 pay rise

Politics

A rumble in the blackboard jungle

• 24 July 2000

Francis Beckett reveals the full, hitherto untold story of the clash between Chris Woodhead, the chief inspector of schools, and his main liberal critic

Politics

Education, education, profit

• 10 July 2000

Does Blunkett realise that the people behind his latest wheeze favour an end to state schools? Francis Beckettreports

Books

School for scandal

• 12 June 2000

Reclaiming Education
James Tooley Cassell, 264pp, £12.99
ISBN 0304705675

Politics

Will you still teach me when I'm 85?

• 22 May 2000

. . . not if Chris Woodhead can help it. Francis Beckett finds conflict over adult education's biggest advance for 25 years

Politics

How money buys better schooling

• 15 May 2000

Francis Beckett asks why, if funding levels make no difference, private schools spend so much