Tories plan freedom for best in education

Hundreds of the best comprehensive schools in England would be given new powers under plans announced by the Tories today.

They would get academy-style freedoms over their budgets, curriculum and discipline in return for agreeing to help a nearby struggling school.

Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove unveiled the latest school model which would have less interference from town hall education chiefs.

"An independent state school accessible to every community, open to all but committed to excellence, free to pursue tougher discipline policies, free to pay good teachers more, free to innovate, experiment and drive up standards - that is our ambition," he was set to tell the Conservative annual rally in Birmingham.

Mr Gove also stressed that pupils must be taught about Britain's past as the standard bearer of liberty. He added: "Instead of being taught about Magna Carta, the Glorious Revolution and the heroic role of the Royal Navy in putting down slavery, our children are either taught to put Britain in the dock or they remain in ignorance of our island story.

"This is morally wrong, culturally selfdefeating and we would put it right."

Thousands of schools could also be set up under a new education system adopted from Sweden. Former servicemen and women would also be encouraged to become teachers by being given free university education.