Former schools minister Stephen Byers has called for a radical overhaul of the secondary admissions system in order to extend choice throughout state education.

In an article for the latest edition of Prospect magazine the MP and close Downing Street ally suggests that extending the period of time between applying for and starting at a school would enable popular places to expand while unpopular options could be closed down.

Byers, who was Tony Blair's first school standards minister and went on to serve as industry and transport secretary, has been floating ideas for Labour's third term manifesto since he stepped down from the Cabinet in 2002.

The North East MP is also close to Labour policy chief Alan Milburn and his latest proposal is believed to have backing in Number 10.

He makes the case for bringing forward the applications process from the autumn before the academic year begins in September to the January before that, so that the supply of places would have enough time to meet demand.

This would allow more parents and pupils to have their first choice preferences met, although it would come at the expense of less popular schools which would have to be taken over by expanding institutions or closed down, rather than given time and investment to turn around.

Critics

Critics will also point out that the scheme would only be operable in large urban areas where there is a range of state schools to choose from within travelling distance from pupils' homes.

But Byers insisted there is still lots of scope for improvement with the current arrangements.

"In practice we presently have a school admissions timetable which is just about rationing out places at good, popular schools. This could be changed by bringing the whole process forward," he said.

"Popular schools are already able to expand but in practice find it difficult to do so. Changing the admissions timetable coupled with the removal of the present restrictions and limitations placed on schools to be replaced by a new freedom to expand to meet parental choice would revolutionise our schools system.

"It would take control away from vested interests and place it in the hands of parents. They, after all, are in a unique position to know what is in their child's best interests.

"School choice puts the levers of power in the hands of parents. They as citizens can be empowered to be a driving force for improvement. By their decisions they will raise standards and improve the quality of education."