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Peter, I agree totally with both of your posts. Yes, things aren't perfect and we need reform but looking to the past is not the answer.
I have to clear up a number of points: The National Curriculum does not belong to Labour, first implimented in 1989 (I think) it was one of Mrs Thatcher's. I experienced it in my secondary education and you are right Barry, it did exclude aspects and figures of history that I have since found very interesting. Friends of mine, who attended public school, recieved a far more rounded experience of History (as a subject) at this point because public schools don't have to follow the National Curriculum. The cynic in me would say that this is social engineering at it's crudest.
Teachers do and always have corrected spelling and grammar. If there are some that don't, then this is down to their own craziness and not a policy across the profession. Incidentally in many countries reading isn't taught until at least 6 or 7. Sweden has far more success in literacy with this method, however Mr Gove suggests we should start measuring levels at 6 (for league tables) an age that in some countries the children haven't even been taught the skill.
Children ARE taught in ability groups for academic subjects, the task would be almost impossible otherwise, however they are not necessarily streamed. Streaming denies strengths and weaknesses in subjects, as does the grammar school system. I agree with certain aspects and commend the good work that the Grammar Schools do, but when we really look at the underpinning psychological principles, we have to look to Cyril Burt, who is academically regarded as a fraudster. Additionally if we agree with the concept intelligence is set, then we cannot expect schools to improve as set out by Mr Gove's latest white paper.
Discipline ultimately comes down to parental support. If the language of physical pain is how we respond then we have already lost the right to tell them not to inflict pain or disruption on others. Some children are the result of beating over reasoning at home, do you think this makes them the well behaved ones at school?