Q&A: Schools reform 'compromise'

Ministers are set to offer a series of compromises over their plans for reforming England's schools. We explain the latest twist in Tony Blair's reform battle.

Why does the government want to reform schools?

It is anxious to raise standards in secondary schools. Spending per head on pupils has doubled since 1997 but even Tony Blair admits 40% of children still do not get five good GCSEs. The prime minister wants school reforms to be one of his lasting legacies when he steps down.

What are the main proposals?

Ministers say they want to give schools more freedom. Parents, businesses and voluntary groups would be able to set up new trust schools, further developing the specialist schools which are now the majority of secondary schools in England. They would take control of their own buildings and land, will directly employ their own staff, and will set and manage their own admissions criteria.

Why have the plans run into trouble?

Many Labour MPs are fiercely opposed to what they see as a return to 11-plus style academic selection by the "back door" - even though ministers stress that such selection is against the law. They also believe giving some schools special status will lead to a two-tier system, with children in poor areas losing out.

What is the scale of the potential rebellion?

More than 90 Labour MPs have said they will vote against the proposals, more than enough to defeat the plans - or force the government to rely on Conservative votes to get it through.

Are there some big names among the critics?

They could hardly be bigger within the Labour movement. Ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock has warned the schools system could be "shattered" and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has also publicly voiced concerns about the reforms. Former Education Secretary Estelle Morris has led the criticisms.

What happens if the proposals are voted down?

If Tony Blair loses the education vote it could hasten his departure from No 10. If he has to rely on Conservative support to get the proposals through it could also weaken him fatally.

So what's the compromise plan?

BBC News has learnt that ministers want to beef up the role of local education authorities (LEAs) and give more legal teeth to the schools admissions code. It is also thought they could ditch parental interviews - currently against the admissions code but not actually outlawed and seen by rebels as one method of "back door" selection. There appears to be a lot of playing with words but basically the government wants to show it is making the safeguards tougher.

What would it mean for local authorities?

We have not seen any of the small print of any of these plans but ministers are talking about giving LEAs "strategic oversight". Essentially they would have stronger powers to regulate the planning of school places. The LEAs would also host "forums" of all the schools in their area to agree a co-ordinated plan for schooling, including admissions.

But don't schools forums already exist?

Yes, but they vary hugely across the country. The compromise plan would make schools abide by the forums' decisions. It would mean schools which refuse to follow the local schooling plan, perhaps by expanding in size, could be taken by LEAs to the schools adjudicator (the man in charge of regulating school admissions).

How are the fears on admissions being tackled?

The government rejects calls for it to write the national schools admissions code into the law books. But it now says schools would have to "act in accordance" with the code, rather than merely "have regard" to it.

Do we know any other details of the compromise?

The final details of the proposals are still being worked on but it seems there will be a more modest role for the new schools commissioner. The commissioner is to be appointed to help parents to set up their own schools and to match schools to businesses or charities who want to back them financially. Many Labour MPs were worried the new watchdog would undermine LEAs.

How has this all gone down with the rebels?

The package has already won over one critic of the plans, John Prescott. He is expected to use a speech on Friday to say his concerns have largely been met. Potential Labour backbench rebels, such as David Chaytor, say they want to see the new plans in "black and white" but they appear to be a big step in the right direction.

What is the Tory position?

The Conservatives had offered to help Tony Blair push through the reforms. Now they are likely to accuse the prime minister of watering down his plans in the face of backbench pressure.

What happens now?

Ministers have already tested their compromise on critical MPs in private meetings and those are likely to continue. They hope to finalise the package by the end of next week, with the Education Bill published later this month. MPs are likely to vote on the reforms next month.