Kelly warned over reforms
Estelle Morris says government will have to back down on school reform
Saturday, 21, Jan 2006 12:00
Baroness Morris has warned education secretary Ruth Kelly that the government may have to back down over controversial school reforms.
More than 90 Labour MPs are threatening to revolt over plans to give secondary schools greater independence, fearing they would lead to a return of selection.
Former education secretary Estelle Morris told Today the rebels were not reassured by Ms Kelly’s recent statements.
"What we have got to track them down on is to say 'What is this extra independence?' because our fear is that, whatever that extra independence is, it will fragment the system," she said.
"Quite honestly what we do know is that the freedom of one school can stop a neighbouring school succeeding. We don't want that because schools are an interdependent system.
"I am not against independence, but quite frankly I am against a form of independence that will absolutely ruin other schools' chances.
"She [Ms Kelly] has got to be straight and tell us exactly what is in this bill that will give schools greater independence, why she needs it, and what she is going to do to make sure it doesn't damage neighbouring schools.
"She has got a long way to go but she has got to begin to give."
Recently Baroness Morris joined former Labour leader Lord Kinnock at a packed meeting to protest against the plans.
Yesterday Lord Linnock said the reforms could create a "dreadful shattering of the school system".
However Ms Kelly said Labour MPs backed the "vast majority" of her proposals.