Speaking to the Association of Heads of GM schools on November 30, the Secretary of State had clearly prepared a careful analogy for the role of grant-maintained schools and local education authorities. Sadly, she had not reckoned on the speed with which things change in the market place.
The audience was invited to regard the GM sector as a Mercury and LEAs should be like BT and: “not wait for Mercury to grow into a giant before offering customers a better service”.
In view of subsequent events, further comment seems superfluous.
PETER GALE
11 Harewood Gardens, Sunderland
