Parents' responsibilities
Ruth Kelly has promised to put parents at the heart of the education system.
The new education secretary used her first speech in the role to promise an acceleration of "choice" in the state school system.
But speaking to the North of England Education conference in Manchester on Thursday she also stressed that parents will have increasing responsibilities as well as rights.
Party Response: Conservative
Tim Collins, shadow education secretary, said: "This speech illustrates the dangers of Labour's half-hearted and inconsistent talk about using choice to improve education. Ruth Kelly speaks movingly of an outcome with only the sketchiest idea of how it is to be achieved. It is hardly surprising then that after nearly eight years in power, ministers continue to preside over falling exam standards, declining teacher morale and worsening classroom discipline.
"By contrast, the next Conservative government will legislate to ensure more good school places - from private, public and voluntary sources - become available to transform educational opportunity for all."
Party Response: Liberal Democrat
Phil Willis , Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said: "Parents, pupils and teachers will be interested to see that despite having a new education secretary the message remains the same.
"The illusion of parental choice is still used to mask consistent government failure.
"All children deserve good quality local schools. That means small class sizes, teachers qualified in the subject being taught and modern facilities. Ruth Kelly should be concentrating on achieving these basics of quality education instead of distracting parents with meaningless buzzwords."
Stakeholder Response: NASUWT
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "The secretary of state is right to focus on the crucially important role parents can play in ensuring their children achieve their full educational potential.
"It is clear that parental choice is also high on the government's agenda. However, I am sure that the
"There is clearly merit in a system which provides pupils with broad and flexible curriculum opportunities to meet their individual needs. Such a system would meet the laudable aim of excellence for all.
"However, this ambition could be undermined if choice is reduced to a superficial 'beauty contest' between schools. Parents quite rightly expect high quality schools in their neighbourhood. In short, they want a situation where all are schools of 'first choice'. the NASUWT looks forward to working with the secretary of state to continue the progress already achieved through social partnership towards meeting this expectation."
Stakeholder Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "This is a strong speech that sets out a challenging and powerful vision. We are delighted that the secretary of state has recognised the class gap in achievement, which is large by international standards, but she needs to ask herself if enough is being done within the current policy framework to address this issue.
"Early intervention in supporting disadvantaged pupils and their parents is vital, and we commend the government’s increased funding in this area. We are pleased that Ruth Kelly has acknowledged that there are constraints to the choice agenda, but she must be aware that a government committed to improving social mobility would look at school provision across a town or city as a whole, so that every child is suitably placed, with the disadvantaged having favourable treatment. The present system favours the wealthy and articulate, and more 'choice' would mean more favours.
"The government's own 14-19 agenda requires a degree of collaboration that cannot be left to chance, and it's difficult to see how this will be addressed by the secretary of state's independently-minded schools."
Stakeholder Response: Institute of Education
Dr Carol Campbell, policy and strategy adviser at the
"Her emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of parents in educational improvement is an important one. Research indicates that parents’ own education and their engagement with their child’s education are key factors in supporting pupils’ achievements and motivation at school.
"The Secretary of State’s recognition of the need for parental ‘voice’ is welcome. Too often parental involvement is viewed as making sure parents do what government or schools expect rather than a genuine two-way dialogue about young people’s education.
"What is needed now is further details of how such parental voice can be supported and delivered, including the careful balance between teachers’ professional expertise and parental interests when identifying and meeting children’s needs.
"The balance between a ‘voice’ for all parents and the current reality of ‘choice’ tending to benefit those parents who are already most socially and educationally advantaged needs attention as well."
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