LIVERPOOL HAS LESSONS by Peter Price*
Liverpool exports more than Beatles and Merseybeat. From this Labour stronghold comes news of an Education Committee which has a perspective of democratic education.
In July 1955 they passed a resolution instructing their Director of Education to draw up a scheme for comprehensive education in the city. In 1958 their first comprehensive school, Gateacre, was opened, and the committee's plans surged forward. In 1961, however, the Tories gained control of the council and, knowing the political value to conservatism of a segregated educational system, they set to work to reverse the programme,
As in Nottingham, Labour regained control two years later and in July 1963. the Council passed this resolution: "That this Education Committee, believing that Comprehensive Schools afford the greatest possible opportunities to boys and girls of all degrees of ability, affirms that it is its intention that a comprehensive system of secondary education shall be established in Liverpool......and as a consequence, the 11 plus examination shall be abolished; -and instructs the Secondary Education Sub-Committee, as a matter of urgency, to prepare a scheme directed towards these ends after consultation with the teachers." In November 1963 the Education Committee and teachers met and working parties were set up,
In September 1964, after three remodelled comprehensive schools had been opened, nine teacher members of the working party were given a month's leave-of-absence on full pay, provided with an office in the Education Dept. and accessto the Director and all relevant files.
Goaded by the opening of two more comprehensive schools and the rapid erosion of educational privilege for the few, the Tories struck back. Protest meetings were held and petition forms circulated. The Liverpool Conservatives fought the 1964 May elections on the slogan S.0.S. - Save Our Schools. They lost eight seats to’a Labour Party which stuck to its polite ical principles and attempted to give equal educational opportunities to all children. * P. Price is Vice-Chairman of Nottingham City Labour Party.