Labour promises parents more say on schools

Prime Minister Gordon Brown argues that such plans intend to accelerate the reduction in the number of underachieving schools, giving a significant number of dissatisfied parents more freedom: “It will give parents a strong voice and real power, but does not leave education to the mercy of the market.”          

A strong warning, however, has come from the NASWUT Teachers’ Union as teachers would risk working with the ‘gun’ of a parental ballot to their heads. Such freedom could potentially cause ‘unnecessary turbulence’ in an already confused and unstable environment.

A list of the first ‘kitemarked’ organisations which may be allowed to take over struggling schools has been announced by the Government and includes successful state schools, universities and academic sponsors.
Brown’s planned ‘chain reaction’ intends to link all schools within the next five years; with recognised brands merging with or taking over weaker and coasting schools.