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| Nick Clegg in split with Tories over free schools | Nick Clegg in split with Tories over free schools |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is distancing himself from free schools, a key plank of the coalition's education policy in England. | |
| In a speech, the deputy prime minister will say he disagrees with Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove over the flexibility given to the schools. | |
| He will say they should be made to follow the national curriculum, and not employ unqualified teachers. | |
| Mr Gove's allies have accused Mr Clegg of misunderstanding free schools. | Mr Gove's allies have accused Mr Clegg of misunderstanding free schools. |
| Free schools, set up by parents and other groups, are state funded but operate outside local authority control. | Free schools, set up by parents and other groups, are state funded but operate outside local authority control. |
| They were established under a policy pioneered by Mr Gove and since September 2011 more than 170 have been opened across England. | They were established under a policy pioneered by Mr Gove and since September 2011 more than 170 have been opened across England. |
| Currently free schools have discretion over what to teach, but in his speech to a school in north London, Mr Clegg will say, "What's the point of having a national curriculum if only a few schools have to teach it?" | Currently free schools have discretion over what to teach, but in his speech to a school in north London, Mr Clegg will say, "What's the point of having a national curriculum if only a few schools have to teach it?" |
| His next party manifesto will also say all schools should adhere to new standards on meals and demand that teachers are either qualified or near qualification. | |
| Last week, the head teacher of a primary free school in the borough of Westminster who was still studying for her postgraduate certificate in education stood down following criticism from Labour councillors. | Last week, the head teacher of a primary free school in the borough of Westminster who was still studying for her postgraduate certificate in education stood down following criticism from Labour councillors. |
| There was also controversy when the Al-Madinah free school in Derby was classed as inadequate by education inspectors. | There was also controversy when the Al-Madinah free school in Derby was classed as inadequate by education inspectors. |
| In his speech to a London school this week, Mr Clegg will say: "I'm proud of our work over the last three years to increase school autonomy, which, in government with the Conservatives, has been through the academies' programme." | |
| But he will go on to question "aspects of schools policy currently affected by the priorities of the Conservative Party which I would not want to see continue". | But he will go on to question "aspects of schools policy currently affected by the priorities of the Conservative Party which I would not want to see continue". |
| Mr Clegg will add: "Whilst I want to give schools the space to innovate, I also believe every parent needs reassurance that the school their child attends, whatever its title or structure, meets certain core standards of teaching and care. A parental guarantee, if you like. | Mr Clegg will add: "Whilst I want to give schools the space to innovate, I also believe every parent needs reassurance that the school their child attends, whatever its title or structure, meets certain core standards of teaching and care. A parental guarantee, if you like. |
| "Parents don't want ideology to get in the way of their children's education. | "Parents don't want ideology to get in the way of their children's education. |
| "They don't care about the latest political label attached to their child's school. What they want, and expect, is that their children are taught by good teachers, get taught a core body of knowledge and get a healthy meal every day." | "They don't care about the latest political label attached to their child's school. What they want, and expect, is that their children are taught by good teachers, get taught a core body of knowledge and get a healthy meal every day." |
| 'Misunderstanding' | 'Misunderstanding' |
| Lib Dem sources have told the BBC that Mr Clegg argued for his proposed changes in cabinet but they were blocked by Mr Gove. | Lib Dem sources have told the BBC that Mr Clegg argued for his proposed changes in cabinet but they were blocked by Mr Gove. |
| BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says Mr Gove's allies in turn accuse Mr Clegg of "fundamentally misunderstanding" the nature of free schools. | BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says Mr Gove's allies in turn accuse Mr Clegg of "fundamentally misunderstanding" the nature of free schools. |
| The Department for Education will maintain that free schools were helping to achieve the government's ambition to allow parents to chose schools, our correspondent adds. | The Department for Education will maintain that free schools were helping to achieve the government's ambition to allow parents to chose schools, our correspondent adds. |
| Under plans announced by Labour, parent groups and other organisations would be able to set up schools outside local authority control, although local authorities would have greater powers to intervene when there were concerns about standards. | Under plans announced by Labour, parent groups and other organisations would be able to set up schools outside local authority control, although local authorities would have greater powers to intervene when there were concerns about standards. |
| But last week, shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt said a future Labour government would allow most existing free schools to remain open. | But last week, shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt said a future Labour government would allow most existing free schools to remain open. |