Cameron: good state schools for all

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The opposition leader, who was educated at £26,000-a-year Eton College, told the Daily Telegraph: "I would like my children to go through the state sector.

"I think it's crazy that we should pay lots of money for private schools. We all pay our taxes. You should have really good state schools available for all."

His education spokesman, Michael Gove, also pledged to create a "superb new school in every community" within his first term of office if the party was elected.

He also confirmed the Tories would not create any more selective grammar schools, a decision that sparked a backbench rebellion two years ago.

"What you need is rigorous setting and streaming within a school by subject, but within a school that is comprehensive overall," privately-educated Mr Gove said.

Mr Cameron, who has three children, said he intended to "bust open" the state monopoly on education by encouraging more charities and entrepreneurs to compete to run new comprehensives.

The Tory leader told the paper: "From day one of a Conservative government I want Michael and his team to be a team of educational zealots when it comes to excellence and standards and rigour and discipline.

"There are forces in the educational establishment that have to be taken on and defeated on this."

He added: "The fact that in some parts of the country there are not good schools available to local parents is a disgrace."