Downing Street Says » Private Schools

Asked if the Prime Minister had a view on Ruth Kelly’s decision to send her child to a private school, the PMOS said that firstly there were rules around children and he would observe those, even if others did not. Secondly the Prime Minister supported absolutely the right of parents to make choices about their children’s’ education which are best suited to those children’s’ needs, irrespective of who their parents were and what job they did.

Asked whether No10 would back a PCC complaint by any government Minister who might have been affected by this, the PMOS replied that he would not be getting into individual decisions for individual people.

Asked if as a matter of principle, the government and Prime Minister had any objections to any Minister or individual opting out of the state system, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister has made it clear on many occasions that he backs the right of parents to make choices in the interest of their children no matter what job they do. Asked if the Ruth Kelly example did not suggest that either the state system was failing children with special needs, or that she had some other reason for opting out, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister and the government as a whole had made it clear that they believe that there should be a mix of provision for children with special needs. For some pupils inclusion in the mainstream system was the answer, and that is what some parents wanted. For others that was not the answer and special schools were needed. The provision of these schools was a local matter to be decided at a local level. He added that the overall view set out many times by the Prime Minister and other Ministers was that there should be a mix of provision.

Asked to defend the 2001 act that said children should usually be educated in mainstream schools which campaigners have said has led to the closure of special needs schools, the PMOS pointed the journalist to the rate of closure which had slowed down under this government compared to previous administrations, adding that the need for a mix of provision had always been made clear.

Asked if he was saying the government was opposed to the principle of moving provision into the state sector given that the rate had slowed down, the PMOS replied that he was not and added that there had never been a policy of specialist school closures. He added that it had always been recognised that parents of children special needs should be able to request special school provision. Local authorities had been told that closures should only take place where they could clearly show that something better had been planned in their place. But it was a matter for local decision.

Asked if it was his understanding that Ruth Kelly would make a statement today, the PMOS replied that he would not get drawn on anything that would in any way identify the Minister involved. In overall terms it was a matter for Ministers to decide when they make statements.

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» Monday, January 8, 2007

Private Schools

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