Minister Ed Balls rejects Kirklees parents plans for school

Mar 30 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CHILDREN’S Secretary Ed Balls accused the Conservatives of making “irresponsible” promises to parents as he turned down a new school in Kirklees.

Mr Balls rejected a request by a parents’ group for the new secondary school in the Birkenshaw area, saying it would have a detrimental effect on education elsewhere in the borough.

He claimed the Conservatives were suggesting parents could have a “free lunch” by building new schools – but said doing this would in fact be expensive and have a negative impact on other children.

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove is proposing to allow parents’ groups, charities, trusts and voluntary groups to set up and operate schools on the Swedish model, which would be taxpayer-funded and non-fee-paying but independent from state control.

Mr Balls rejected the Kirklees parents’ proposal for a new secondary school with 900 places after commissioning a report into the impact of the plans.

He said: “I don’t think it’s responsible to give parents the impression that this is a free lunch – it’s not.