Kelly: School reform critics 'are plain wrong'

Last updated at 13:21 17 November 2005


Education Secretary Ruth Kelly attacked critics of the Government's controversial school reforms today, telling them they were "just plain wrong".

Ms Kelly said there was no place for "deliberate misunderstanding" of her plans to give schools greater independence.

But she acknowledged that ministers must "explain better and listen more" to teachers and members of the Labour Party who have voiced serious concerns over the reforms.

Speaking at a conference for new headteachers in London, she said: "Within any change, there will be genuine concerns, and we will listen to them and address them.

"There is no place for deliberate misunderstanding of what we are trying to achieve.

"But I am clear that we have to explain better and listen more - with the profession and parents as well as with my own party."

'Not just for middle classes'

She insisted the schools White Paper, published last month, was designed to raise standards for all pupils - especially those from poor families - and not "just for the middle classes".

She rejected the idea that her plan for new "trust schools", which would be backed by businesses, charities and faith groups, marks a return to the old Tory policy of grant maintained schools.

Labour backbenchers have complained that trust schools will be divisive and unfair and could use their new power to set their own admissions arrangements to bring back selection.

Ms Kelly said: "Some misguided critics have tried to claim that through the trust schools we are just bringing back the model of grant maintained schools.

"They are just plain wrong. Trust schools are not grant maintained schools.

"Nobody here wants to create fortresses that operate quite independently and cast a dark shadow over the rest of the landscape," she said.

Free from local authority control, trust schools will be able to hire their own staff and control their own assets, she said.

They will also have powers over their own admissions arrangements.

"But let me be crystal clear here," she said.

"These arrangements will be within the admissions code that ensures fair admissions.

"There will be no free-for-all and there will not be a return to selection by ability by the front door, back door, trap door, green door, or any other door at all."

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