This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8033044.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Parents to trigger school changes Parents to trigger school changes
(20 minutes later)
Parents in England might be able to trigger council intervention in unsatisfactory local schools under new plans announced by Gordon Brown.Parents in England might be able to trigger council intervention in unsatisfactory local schools under new plans announced by Gordon Brown.
Details have yet to be worked out but might involve local authorities surveying parental opinion.Details have yet to be worked out but might involve local authorities surveying parental opinion.
If it were negative, councils would then have to get good schools to help out the weaker ones in federations.If it were negative, councils would then have to get good schools to help out the weaker ones in federations.
The idea, after a tough week for the prime minister, is a response to Tory plans to let parents set up schools.The idea, after a tough week for the prime minister, is a response to Tory plans to let parents set up schools.
Speaking in south London at a federation of two schools under an executive head, Mr Brown said the drive for world class schools in Britain required a more strategic role for government.Speaking in south London at a federation of two schools under an executive head, Mr Brown said the drive for world class schools in Britain required a more strategic role for government.
ResponseResponse
"So we will look at how local authorities can improve their knowledge of what parents want and how satisfied they are with their local schools and where there is significant dissatisfaction with the pattern of secondary school provision, and where standards across an area are too low - then the local authority will be required to act."So we will look at how local authorities can improve their knowledge of what parents want and how satisfied they are with their local schools and where there is significant dissatisfaction with the pattern of secondary school provision, and where standards across an area are too low - then the local authority will be required to act.
Gordon Brown wants 'great head teachers working with parents'
"This could mean either the creation of a federation of schools, an expansion of good school places or, in some cases, the establishment of entirely new schools.""This could mean either the creation of a federation of schools, an expansion of good school places or, in some cases, the establishment of entirely new schools."
Mr Brown talked about Britain but in the UK's devolved education systems his proposals would apply only to England.Mr Brown talked about Britain but in the UK's devolved education systems his proposals would apply only to England.
The idea is still in the planning stage. The Department for Children, Schools and Families was not able to say how it would operate in practice.The idea is still in the planning stage. The Department for Children, Schools and Families was not able to say how it would operate in practice.
Parents can already invite Ofsted inspections - but only in schools where they have children.Parents can already invite Ofsted inspections - but only in schools where they have children.
The new idea is that they could require an intervention in other local schools too.The new idea is that they could require an intervention in other local schools too.
Parental roleParental role
Details will be in a white paper due to be published next month which will also include proposals for school "report cards".Details will be in a white paper due to be published next month which will also include proposals for school "report cards".
These would assign an overall score based on a range of factors such as test results and an assessment of pupils' wellbeing as well as the views of parents and children.These would assign an overall score based on a range of factors such as test results and an assessment of pupils' wellbeing as well as the views of parents and children.
"As (England's Schools Secretary) Ed Balls will set out in his white paper on schools in the next month, the drive for world class schools in Britain will require a more strategic role for government, intervening when schools consistently under-perform, but standing back and allowing teachers and school leaders greater freedom to innovate," Mr Brown said."As (England's Schools Secretary) Ed Balls will set out in his white paper on schools in the next month, the drive for world class schools in Britain will require a more strategic role for government, intervening when schools consistently under-perform, but standing back and allowing teachers and school leaders greater freedom to innovate," Mr Brown said.
There was a role for parents to run schools which is why the government had made it possible.There was a role for parents to run schools which is why the government had made it possible.
But most parents did not want the burden of doing that, they wanted to leave it to the professionals.But most parents did not want the burden of doing that, they wanted to leave it to the professionals.
He did stress there was a need for more collaboration between parents and schools.He did stress there was a need for more collaboration between parents and schools.
So, he promised, by 2010 all secondary schools and two years later all primaries would report online to parents about their children's progress.So, he promised, by 2010 all secondary schools and two years later all primaries would report online to parents about their children's progress.
This sort of access was first promised just over four years ago.This sort of access was first promised just over four years ago.
'Gimmick''Gimmick'
The speech comes as the prime minister tries to switch the spotlight from personality to policy following a week of speculation about his leadership.The speech comes as the prime minister tries to switch the spotlight from personality to policy following a week of speculation about his leadership.
It echoes a speech by the former education secretary, Ruth Kelly, in 2005 as she presented a white paper setting out controversial proposals for trust schools.It echoes a speech by the former education secretary, Ruth Kelly, in 2005 as she presented a white paper setting out controversial proposals for trust schools.
The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford, was in Mr Brown's audience at Prendergast Hilly Fields School, Lewisham.The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford, was in Mr Brown's audience at Prendergast Hilly Fields School, Lewisham.
He told the prime minister parents did not need another opportunity to complain.He told the prime minister parents did not need another opportunity to complain.
Later he said: "I was delighted that the speech recognised the capacity for successful school leaders to lead the system.Later he said: "I was delighted that the speech recognised the capacity for successful school leaders to lead the system.
"This is happening already in many places and the prime minister clearly wants to build on this.""This is happening already in many places and the prime minister clearly wants to build on this."
But his remarks highlighted the scarcity of anything new in what Mr Brown had had to say.But his remarks highlighted the scarcity of anything new in what Mr Brown had had to say.
Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said: "If this speech is supposed to mark the beginning of a political fightback for Gordon Brown, then the government is in real trouble.Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said: "If this speech is supposed to mark the beginning of a political fightback for Gordon Brown, then the government is in real trouble.
"It was just a rehash of old announcements with the odd gimmick thrown in.""It was just a rehash of old announcements with the odd gimmick thrown in."