So David Cameron’s children are heading for the local comprehensive rather than their father’s famous alma mater. Maybe there will be an Eton city academy backed by a millionaire donor to Conservative party funds by the time they reach secondary age, but that is a mere detail.
Mr Cameron’s commitment this week to send his children to state schools shows how far he wants to distance himself from Mrs Thatcher’s cabinet, who all sent their children to private schools, give or take the odd state primary. No one wants a return to those days.
The present Government has irritated teachers with its endless initiatives but it does believe schools matter. Politicians who know that their child’s school can’t find a maths teacher and that a classroom roof is leaking are better placed to make education policy than those whose experience has a pound;20,000 price tag.
