Free schools
What the education system needs is more marketisation, not less
Towards the end of 2009, shortly after I announced my intention to set up England’s first free school, I debated…
My wife’s revenge has me at break point
Fifteen years ago, when I was The Spectator’s drama critic, Caroline used to complain that she had become a ‘theatre…
I have seen classroom miracles at Michaela Community School
It was like being on the set of an inspirational Hollywood film about a visionary teacher who transforms the lives…
No, my socialist dad would NOT be spinning in his grave
On Tuesday night I went to a birthday party for my father at the House of Commons. Hosted by the…
Osborne's ringfence cycle
By now, George Osborne had hoped to have completed his austerity programme. Instead, he finds himself making what is, still,…
What I’ve learned helping to found a specialist free school
Lessons from the first year of our specialist maths school
The Conservatives should be the party of immigrants — and here’s how they can be
For a long while, the Conservatives have been puzzled about their lack of popularity among immigrants. In theory, the Conservative…
I’m working to make education fairer. But I’m still not sure what ‘fairer’ means
Civitas has just published an interesting book called The Ins and Outs of Selective Secondary Schools. Edited by Anastasia de…
Proof that the schools revolution isn’t over
For those who assumed that the removal of Michael Gove as Education Secretary marked the end of the Conservatives’ scholastic…
The Tories have one real success in government – and they’re scared to talk about it
Schools are the one area where this government has made a real, positive difference – but it’s scared stiff of saying so
Come on, Tristram Hunt, if you think you’re hard enough
For a brief moment earlier this week, I thought education might become an issue in the general election campaign. The…
Russell Brand and Nigel Farage remind me of myself five years ago
I’m often asked by other free school proposers what lessons I’ve learnt over the past five years. Any pearls of…
Have David Cameron’s Etonians just given up on state school reform?
During his time as Education Secretary, Michael Gove would often have occasion to quote a passage of Machiavelli: ‘There is…
I always defended Michael Gove. Then I met him
Michael Gove inspires irrational hatred among my fellow children’s authors. After interviewing him, I can finally see why
Schools need freeing from the right as well as the left
How politicians wreck education
Sorry, campaining mums – it’s faith that makes faith schools work
An email popped into my inbox on Tuesday morning urging me to join a ‘fair admissions campaign’ that’s been launched…
My battle with Michael Gove’s Blob
Michael Gove has been under fire this week for ‘sacking’ Sally Morgan as chair of Ofsted. You’d think he’d be…
The big idea that can win the Tories the next election
In one sense David Cameron is lucky that the Conservatives do not enter 2014 with a lead in the polls.…
Toby Young: Nobody appreciates you sending Christmas cards of your children's 'art'
I’ve just had a massive row with Caroline about Christmas cards. We usually send about 120 and this year we’ve…
Toby Young: Tristram Hunt, the Spectator's 'Newcomer of the Year'?
I love The Spectator’s Parliamentarian of the Year Awards. On the face of it, they’re a great advertisement for just…
Fighting dirty
Why is local politics so much dirtier than national politics? Is it because the players are fighting over relatively trivial…
