ATL COMMENT ON POLICY EXCHANGE STUDY ON PARENTAL CHOICE OVER SCHOOLS

19 November 2007

Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“Contrary to the views of Policy Exchange, the fundamental problem is that too many people peddle the misinformation there aren’t enough good state schools available.  Ofsted reports totally contradict this.

“Research shows that a child's background is the biggest factor in their educational success, and the particular school they attend is not as important.

“Encouraging parents to pick and chose between schools creates a great deal of unnecessary angst and ill-effects for everyone.

“If parents showed as much interest and involvement in their children’s learning in school, as they did worrying about which school they attend, children would benefit more.”