Tories still 'doing down' state schools, says Balls

Mr Balls accused the Conservatives of seeking to revive a two-tiered split in the schools system and said the party had consistently aimed to "do down" state education.

"Instead of breaking down the damaging old divide between 'excellent' academic qualifications for some and 'second class' for everybody else, the Tories seem determined to turn back the clock. This is the wrong approach for the 21st century," he said.

The Conservatives insist that their radical plans for Swedish-style schools will allow parents and the private sector to set up their own institutions within the state system.

Conservative leader David Cameron has declared he wants his children to attend state schools, and this week revealed he aimed to send son Elwen to join sister Nancy at St Mary Abbots primary in Kensington.

But Labour is determined to follow up its attacks on Tory NHS policy with claims that the Tories want a return to a "two-tier" education system.

Shadow schools secretary Mr Gove last week made plain he wants to keep school league tables and remove vocational qualifications and give extra points for "harder" subjects.

Mr Balls said Mr Gove's stance showed his "increasingly narrow and deeply conservative view of education policy".He said: "Our diplomas, combining theoretical and applied learning, are our best chance to break this historic divide. They are widely backed by employers and universities and I'm determined to do everything we can to make them a success."