The First Division? Presented by Eric Robson
How good is your local school? For an increasing number of parents, not good enough. They think that today's comprehensives are too large, that the teaching should be more traditional, and that the teachers should think more about the pupils, and less about their own pay and promotion. Also, they claim, nobody seems to give a hoot about discipline. The supporters of the state system say that most of the current criticism is ill-informed, and have facts to prove it.
But nevertheless, some parents are voting with their feet. Brass Tacks reports from Stockton on Tees, Northampton and Leicester on the build-up of grass roots pressure for new fee-paying schools. Can the state system thrive on a freedom for some to opt out, or should these new schools be positively discouraged?
Film editor DOROTHEA GAZIDIS Producer JUDI CONNOR Editor ALAN DOBSON BBC Manchester
If you've got a point of view let's hear it. All participating BBC local radio stations will have a plione-in continuing the Brass Tacks debate (details on local radio pape of RADIO TIMES). Alternatively, write to Brass Tacks - Return Call, BBCtv, Oxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJ. (Return Call next week will report back on what you think)