Prospect and Ipsos MORI polled British parents' views on school reforms, especially those at the heart of the next Conservative manifesto. The results reveal that parents are willing to listen to Tory plans but are deeply sceptical of the details. And they rate good discipline and regular communication with schools as more important than academic standards.
The Tories are going with the grain of public opinion in promoting the Scandinavian model: 46 per cent support a Swedish system in which parents can open schools—although 31 per cent are against and 23 per cent aren't sure. Parents are also willing, in theory, to muck in. Only 7 per cent would definitely open a school if the chance arose, 43 per cent say they might and 12 per cent rule it out. This suggests potential support for Tory parent-led schools, but only if the process is made easier.
Parents, however, dislike the details of Tory plans and worry about outside groups running schools. Only 5 per cent of parents "strongly agree" that more schools should be run by private companies or charities, and only 11 per cent think that parents are best placed to do so. Schools run by profit making companies are backed by only 3 per cent, and charities (4 per cent) and faith schools (1 per cent) are unpopular too: 40 per cent prefer LEAs to be in charge, although an eye-catching 32 per cent back teachers to run schools. Tory ideas seem to be more popular in theory than practice.
Gove's focus on traditional values is, of couse, popular. Parents want good discipline (92 per cent) and a majority believe that uniforms and sports fields are "essential." He is also right to ditch selection: only 43 per cent of parents support it, while 83 per cent back a broad ability intake.
What makes a good school? Parents think "soft" factors like computer facilities (81 per cent) and regular communication about a child's progress (78 per cent) are "essential," compared to "hard" factors like academic results (63 per cent) or extra-curricular activities (47 per cent).
Parents clearly want more information from schools: regular parental satisfaction surveys (86 per cent), the ability to vote on a school plan (82 per cent) and to be informed about Ofsted inspections (73 per cent) are all considered important, as are regular events for parents (94 per cent), weekly online information on a child's performance (74 per cent), and the ability to access a teacher at any time (83 per cent).
Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,017 adults aged 16-64 between 13-15 March 2009, online.? Data has been weighted to the known profile of the population.
