Parents set to have more say on schools

Parents will be given more say in the way their children’s schools are run under Government proposals.

The Prime Minister has outlined plans for all schools to report online to parents by 2012 and for local authorities to be required to act if there is widespread parental dissatisfaction with schooling in the area.

He added that schools and teaching staff need to be give more freedom - a plan which will be explained further in an upcoming White Paper.

Speaking at Prendergast School in south London, Gordon Brown said he believed reform of the education system is vital as education will be key to Britain’s future prosperity.

The PM said:

“If Britain is second in education and skills, we can never be first in business. And if we come second in business our young people will not have the opportunities and chances in life we wish for them.

“The countries that will succeed in this increasingly skilled global economy are those that are investing heavily - as we are - in education and training, developing support for the all important early years of a child’s life, and ensuring that more of their young people take up the opportunities that higher education offers.”

He rejected the idea of allowing a market to develop in education, arguing that it would not raise standards for all, and dismissed the idea of more central government control, which Mr Brown said would “stifle innovation”.

The Prime Minister also argued that the skills and talents of all children - regardless of their academic level - should be recognised.