Unions downbeat on revised bill

Critics of the government's plans fear greater selection

The revised education bill has had a downbeat response from teaching unions, who say it fails to address concerns.

The National Union of Teachers described the bill to reform England's schools as a "missed opportunity".

Pursuing structural reform was a "dead end", it said, with no evidence trust schools would boost standards.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers welcomed parts of it but said it remained opposed to trust schools - for which it "could see no purpose".

The NUT said positive aspects of the bill in tackling pupil behaviour had been overshadowed by an "obsession with so-called choice and diversity".

General secretary Steve Sinnott said: "This bill is a missed opportunity rather than a defining moment."

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He said rather than build on success in establishing universal nursery education, the government had pursued structural reform when there was "no evidence" trust schools would help raise standards.

Schools should be unable to select by aptitude in order to wipe out selection, he added.

"The retention of such a procedure allows the Conservatives to propose, in effect, a return to the 11-plus," he said.

Chairman of the Education Select Committee Barry Sheerman said he was "pretty content" with the bill.

He said: "There is some really very good stuff in this. Also in the bit we have managed to change and strengthen there is the best chance of a really fair admissions policy."

'No difference'

However, former chief inspector of schools Chris Woodhead said: "I can't see what difference this bill is going to make to any secondary school pupil in any secondary school in the country.

"It simply doesn't advance anything."

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers welcomed measures such as clarifying teachers' rights to discipline pupils.

But general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said the ATL remains opposed to trust schools and wants further concessions on admissions policy.

Unchecked school expansion will be costly and wasteful, leading to other schools closing Steve Sinnott General secretary, NUT Send us your comments BBC's Mike Baker on changes

And she added: "We are deeply concerned about the role of the schools commissioner - an unaccountable bureaucrat buried deep within the DfES - who we fear will be tasked with arm-twisting to get trust schools set up."

The Association of School and College Leaders said it had made clear to the prime minister which aspects of the bill it backed and which it was "most concerned" about.

General secretary Dr John Dunford said the ASCL welcomed recommendations to support heads in personalising the curriculum and improving behaviour.

He added: "We will welcome trust schools if they are used to promote partnerships and collaboration, but we are extremely concerned at the proposal for individual schools to acquire trust status.

"If an obligation to collaborate were placed on these schools, it would ensure that we avoid returning to a two-tier system."

Meanwhile, another union said the bill was "depressingly familiar".

The Professional Association of Teachers' general secretary, Philip Parkin, said: "Our serious concerns about admissions, the future of local authorities and the role of trust schools and their backers remain.

"Encouraging competition between schools in this way will mean that some will fail, with dire consequences for pupils and staff."

Political dogma

Trust schools will be able to form partnerships with a variety of different organisations - including businesses.

CBI Deputy director-general, John Cridland, urged MPs to put improving school performance ahead of political dogma.

He said: "The primary focus has to be on results - the consistent failure of half of all GCSE students to reach basic levels of competency in the 'three Rs' must be tackled without delay.

"Business will support any policy that drives up standards and gives our young people a chance to reach their full potential."