Lords examine trust school plans

Labour says trust schools will raise education standards

Government plans to set up independent, state-funded "trust" schools in England are to come under further scrutiny.

Opponents of trust schools, which will control their own budgets and admissions, say they will create academic selection "by the back door".

But ministers say an amendment making pupil interviews illegal will ensure fairer admissions.

The plans are part of the education bill, which has reached its committee stage in the Lords.

Labour rebellion

In May, the bill cleared the Commons by 422 votes to 98 - a majority of 324 - after the Tories voted with the government.

In all, 69 Labour MPs voted against the plans to create trusts free from local authority control.

Many said they feared a "two-tier" system, with trusts gaining precedence over council-run institutions.

Under pressure from Labour rebels, the bill was amended to allow local education authorities to continue setting up community schools.

This is expected to be discussed by the Lords on Wednesday.

We were elected to improve standards in our schools and we are getting on with the job Alan Johnson Education Secretary

As the bill stands, a council's creation of a community school can still be vetoed by the education secretary in certain circumstances.

The Conservatives said the proposals had been watered down and made more "timid".

Former Labour leader Lord Kinnock last month branded the reforms "educational crazy paving".

But Education Secretary Alan Johnson said after the May vote: "We were elected to improve standards in our schools and we are getting on with the job."

The bill also includes plans for discipline, school dinners, pupils' travel arrangements and Ofsted inspections.