Trust schools flawed, says Hyslop

Ms Hyslop said the SNP was focussed on teaching quality

The Scottish education secretary has branded the English trust school system seriously flawed, following plans by a council to consider a similar model.

However, Fiona Hyslop agreed with East Lothian Council's vision for more "community empowerment".

The local authority had said it would consult residents on plans for an arms-length trust to run schools.

But the council stressed it had no plans to replicate the exact structure and status of trust schools in England.

A number of schools in England have taken on trust status, which sees them funded by local authorities while being run by governing bodies which could include representatives from a range of groups, such as educational bodies or businesses.

'Teaching quality'

When asked about East Lothian's proposals, Ms Hyslop told BBC Scotland's Politics Show: "Certainly community empowerment is something we're attracted by or are very interested in.

"Trust schools have serious flaws if you look at the English model [and] is certainly something the SNP government is not supportive of."

The education secretary said the Scottish government was focussing on the quality of teaching given to pupils.

She went on: "We need to make sure our head teachers have the flexibility to lead in teaching and learning and that's where some of the issues round empowering head teachers more locally to work with other schools in their area is something we're really attracted by."

East Lothian Council leader David Berry has argued organisations are better managed if they are not centrally controlled.

He said the idea also stemmed from concerns over expected massive cuts in public spending.