Parents to have more input on education jobs with Free Schools

The influence of parents on education jobs could be increased with the launch of the government's Free Schools programme.

Charities, teachers and parents can all now apply to set up schools, the education secretary Michael Gove has announced, with the process open from today (June 18th).

Mr Gove's new system is based on the US idea of charter schools, which the Conservative Party says has transformed the lives of children in deprived areas.

The performance gap between rich and poor areas in US schools has been significantly narrowed, the Department for Education said.

Planning laws are to be altered to make it easier for new institutions to be created in former residential or commercial buildings, with a change of use permit from the council no longer required, Mr Gove announced.

He gave a speech yesterday to the National College where plans for academies were outlined, with guarantees included on the fairness of admissions systems.

Posted by Alan Douglas

Published On 18/06/2010