Next debate: Thursday 09 June - This House Supports more positive discrimination in the education system

DATE: Thursday 09 June
TIME: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
VENUE: Harcourt Arms, 32 Harcourt Street, London W1H 4HX
MOTION: This House Supports more positive discrimination in the education system

BACKGROUND:
The row over the non-admission of state school pupil Laura Spence into Oxford University in the year 2000 is an illustration of the battles that have been going on in the British education system for some time over how to make sure that the highest levels of education are open to all.

Education is seen as a key driver of social mobility and as such access to elite educational institutions has always been a hard fought political debate, one which has resurfaced over the past year with a government containing many privately educated ministers and plans to raise university tuition fees to £9,000.

How do we ensure that educational access is based on merit not on background? Can we preserve the high standards of our top universities and at the same time allow admission of state school pupils? Should we force universities or good schools to take less privileged pupils?

Getting there:
If you would like to watch this debate, then simply come along on the night. You will find us in the upstairs dining room of the Harcourt Arms pub at 32, Harcourt Street W1H 4HX (a max 1o min walk from Baker St tube). For directions, see this map.

Further Reading:
Background:

1)The Laura Spence affair (Wikipedia)
2) Positive discrimination v Positive action (Times)
3) Fair access to education (Office of Fair Access)

Arguments in favour:
1) School admission system is not fair
2) Tuition fees will deter poorer students (Guardian)

Arguments against:
1) Universities should not be required to compensate for failure of schools (Times)
2) A defence of grammar school education (Times)


Admission:
Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.


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