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Press Release

THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS’ COUNCIL COMMENTS ON THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER

25 October 2005

NGC believes that the most important issue for all schools is the standard of education provided and the quality of teaching and learning. The recent Ofsted Annual Report has shown that high standards can be achieved in all types of school. Changing the structure of schools is not a panacea as Ofsted inspection reports have highlighted.

NGC acknowledges the important role of parents as key partners in schools. Effective governing bodies already consult and engage parents. Governing bodies are responsible for the ethos and standards in schools and are accountable, to parents, the local community, and the local authority and at national level to Ofsted and central government. Parents already have the power to influence school policy through their statutory representation on the governing body. NGC is concerned that allowing schools to set up trusts which can appoint the majority of the governing body will reduce truly local representation on governing bodies.

We are concerned that encouraging individual schools to expand and allowing new schools to open unchallenged will have a detrimental effect on other schools in an area.

It is not clear how allowing schools further freedom over admissions will aid the most disadvantaged pupils.

Finally, proposals to transport children across towns to improve choice seem to fly in the face of health and transport policies to encourage more children to walk to school and reduce school traffic.

Notes

1. The National Governors’ Council is a registered charity, established for general public benefit but in particular to improve the educational welfare of children by promoting high standards in schools, and raising the effectiveness of governing bodies.

2. For further information please contact, Gillian Windass, Consultations and Policy Officer, National Governors’ Council, 0121-616-5104 or 07811-148010.



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National Governors' Association

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