Howard: Woodhead would ‘root out’ political correctness
Michael Howard today said he would appoint the controversial former head of Ofsted, Chris Woodhead, to “root out” political correctness in education if he became Prime Minister.
The pledge was contained in the Tory leader’s keynote speech on education this morning, in which he also promised a return to traditional teaching methods and firmer school discipline.
Speaking in London, Mr Howard said that a Conservative government would review and slim down the national curriculum, review GCSEs and A-Levels.
He added: “And we’ll root out political correctness, replacing it with the building blocks of knowledge that are essential to give every child their birthright: a decent education.
“That review will be carried out by Chris Woodhead – that indefatigable champion of higher standards and less political correctness.”
Mr Woodhead has had a tempestuous relationship with the main teaching unions who are unlikely to be happy at the prospect of his return to authority.
Mr Howard also highlighted improving discipline as a key Conservative pledge, saying “lack of discipline is a real and growing problem”.
Stressing that the Conservatives would give headteachers full power over expulsions, Mr Howard said: “If children don’t learn respect for authority in class they’re much less likely to respect others when they grow up.”
Linking ill discipline to lack of achievement, Mr Howard said it was time to go back to traditional teaching methods such as times tables, with teachers trained in methods such as phonics.
He claimed: “There is overwhelming evidence to demonstrate that traditional teaching methods – phonics, arithmetic, times tables – are the most effective means of teaching children to read, write and add up.”
