PIP

Recently, the MP for Portsmouth North, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, introduced an Adjournment debate in the House of Commons referring to the benefits of what was referreed to in Hansard as, "Co-operative Model in Education (Portsmouth)" (26th March, 2008). She set out assumed benefits of an approach to education management based upon mutual organization stating that,

"I think there are three main reasons to develop the co-operative model. First, it draws on a long-established heritage of self-help and self-improvement and a globally shared set of values, which could make a positive contribution to the outcomes schools are seeking to deliver and provide the basis for a distinct contribution to diversity of provision. Secondly, the co-operative approach is based on offering membership to different groups of people with an interest in education, such as parents, staff and the local community, and provides a mechanism for active engagement of those stakeholders. Finally, it can provide a mechanism for accountability, helping to ensure that those in positions of responsibility remain sensitive to the needs, views and aspirations of the different groups of interested people, and that the respective views of these stakeholders can be balanced in an appropriate way to suit the needs of the organisation. That is how accountability can become a driver of efficiency and success."

PIP is unaware of there being any followup on the part of the government on this particular issue and is making enquiries. So far we have not received a reply from Sarah McCarthy-Fry and the Local Authority are not aware of who might be interested in this model at this stage.

On the other hand the mutual model has several attractions since it provides a structure within which influence and control by segments of the local community can be exercised and, in this particular area, involving parents. Some teachers have expressed the opinion that this is not a way to improve education. On the other hand, Portsmouth's experience with mutuality has been good so at least, in the case of Portsmouth, this is an issue which is probably worth advancing. There are several examples where the involvement of parents in the organization of school activities in Portsmouth have had excellent results. We are preparing an article on this matter. At least there should be more local discussions on this model for education.

Updated: 20th May, 2008.