Education minister Stephen Twigg has unveiled government plans for a "new relationship with schools".

The school standards minister told a National College for School Leadership conference that a more flexible system will allow parents and pupils to take advantage of personalised learning.

Shorter and sharper Ofsted inspections will also lighten the burden on successful schools, while local education authorities will be refocused to provide support rather than regulation, he said.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

Stephen Twigg, schools minister, said: "The new relationship with schools is crucial to delivering a high excellence, high equity education system with personalised learning at its heart.

"Since 1997 we have made a step change in investment and reform and the system is now ready to be reshaped more significantly. The new relationship seeks to achieve this through reduced bureaucracy; sharper challenge; and more effective support.