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£5,000 to pick your child's school and all can apply to be academies
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor7 Oct 2009
Parents would get on average £5,000 for a state school place of their choice for their child under a Conservative education revolution.
Thousands of schools assessed by inspectors as "outstanding" would immediately be given the green light to become academies.
Every school in England would also be allowed to apply to become an academy as the Tories "turbo charge" the shift to this new educational model.
In addition, the worst schools in the country, those which have been in special measures for a year as of next July, would be turned into academies with new leadership and a proven sponsor.
Swinging the axe at the grip of town halls on schools, shadow children's secretary Michael Gove told the Tory party rally in Manchester: "We will give parents control over the money which is spent on their children's education. Parents will be able to take the £5,000 the state spends on their children to the school of their choice."
Hailing the success of Mossbourne Academy in Hackney under head Sir Michael Wilshaw, Mr Gove added: "Every state school could have the chance to free itself from bureaucratic control - and get the extra money, freedom and flexibility which schools like Mossbourne have used to dramatically lift standards.
"Let me be clear, that means a fundamental change in the role of local authorities. Instead of telling parents who are unhappy with local schools to like it or lump it, local bureaucrats will be on notice to justify their position, their power and their performance."
He condemned an "epic" waste of money by bureaucrats in education, which will be seen as paving the way for cutbacks. Under the Tories, parents would be able to opt for a school based on the Swedish model and run by parents, a charity or other organisation; an academy; or a school under local authority control.
They would get on average £5,000-a-year to fund a place. The amount would vary, as councils receive a range of payments of about £3,000 to more than £8,000 per pupil. The Conservatives are also proposing a pupil's premium for those from poorer backgrounds.
There are about 100 schools which have been in special measures for at least a year. As of next July, such failing schools would be turned into academies by September 2011. New governing bodies would be appointed and in nearly all cases a new head as well.
In a speech which delighted the Tory faithful, Mr Gove added: "I will not allow another generation of our poorest children to have their future blighted by failing schools."
He also told how he was adopted and given a "second chance". "Thanks to wonderful parents who believe in the transforming power of education, I was given the opportunity to choose my own destiny," he said.
Technical schools would be created, particularly in cities, and schools judged as outstanding by Ofsted would be exempted from standard inspections.
Mr Gove said there should also be a focus on getting children to read quickly, with a simple test for youngsters after two years at primary school. "I won't rest until we have eliminated illiteracy in modern Britain."
