McConnell outlines schools plans

Jack McConnell was addressing young Labour supporters

The Scottish Executive is planning to pilot experimental schools partly funded by wealthy philanthropists.

BBC Scotland understands that the new schools will be similar to the inner city academies already piloted in some of England's most deprived areas.

First Minister Jack McConnell told young Labour supporters radical action was needed to help the weakest pupils.

But the executive said sponsors would not be allowed to influence the day-to-day content of lessons.

It has yet to decide how independent they will be of council control and whether schools will be allowed to select any of their pupils.

To meet the ambitions of all our young people there will be more choices for young people in what and how they learn Jack McConnell First Minister

Speaking in Edinburgh on Monday, Mr McConnell outlined for the first time his plans to give the private sector a role in the comprehensive system.

He said Scotland's primary school system was a "source of national pride" and that individual achievement in secondary schools was rising.

However, he said that too many young people were leaving school with very little.

"No child should see options falling away from them if they are not among the top academic achievers in the school," he said.

"To meet the ambitions of all our young people there will be more choices for young people in what and how they learn.

"We will open up a wider choice of learning options - choices that are of greater relevance to the world of work and the enthusiasms of the pupil."

Making improvements

He said Education Minister Peter Peacock was set to unveil the most comprehensive secondary school modernisation programme for a generation.

He said that schools and teachers would be supported in making improvements.

But he said it would also mean "engaging with private sector interests prepared to bring their inspiration, resources and success to help modernise our schools, together with successful figures in the media, sport, music and the arts, to inspire a generation of teenagers".

Decisions about how schools develop should be devolved to school level so that teachers are freed from central bureaucracy David McLetchie Scottish Tory leader

The Reverend Ewan Aitken, education spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), said councils backed any new ways of working that can add value to a child's education.

"We want to see every school in the land allow its pupils to reach their full potential," he said.

"We want to see, and indeed are working towards, real choice in each local school, as opposed to choice on which school a child goes to.

"On the involvement of the private sector, we are happy to work with anyone who wants to invest in education. But no-one can buy education from local authorities."

Tory leader David McLetchie said choice and competition were "essential" to improving quality in education.

Central bureaucracy

"Purchasing power must be in the hands of the consumer - in this case the parent," he said.

"And decisions about how schools develop should be devolved to school level so that teachers are freed from central bureaucracy and can forge a productive partnership with parents to prepare their children for future life."

He said children with special education needs or from low-income families should attract a higher level of government funding.

"This will ensure they are more attractive to schools, encouraging schools that contain a reasonable proportion of children from all parts of the social spectrum and preventing them from becoming trapped in failing schools," he added.

Social justice

During his speech Mr McConnell dismissed the political threat from the Scottish National Party, claiming that the key choice for voters was between Labour and the "elitist policies" of the Tories.

He said that the outcome of the contest to choose a new SNP leader would not change the "divide in Scottish politics" between Labour and the Conservatives.

"The Tories will always be the party of the privileged few, and the Nationalists ultimately put national prejudices before social justice," he said.

"Labour's vision is of one Scotland, moving forward together with ambition and opportunities for all."