Menu
08/01/2007
Kelly defends decision to send son to private school
Former Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has defended her decision to send her son, who has "substantial learning difficulties", to private school.
Mrs Kelly, who is now Communities Secretary, said that she had removed her son from a state school because of "professional advice". She said that the local authority had accepted her decision and she said that she had not requested any help in meeting the £15,000 per year cost of the school.
Mrs Kelly said that her son would remain at the school for a couple of years before he would move to attend a state secondary school.
Mrs Kelly's comments followed the publication of a story in the 'Daily Mirror', which revealed that the former Education Secretary was sending her son to a private school that cost £15,000 per year.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has supported her decision. A Downing Street spokesperson said: "What the Prime Minister supports absolutely is the right of parents to make choices about their children's education which are best suited to their children's needs irrespective of who their parents are of what job they do."
The spokesperson also added that Mr Blair had always believed in having a "mix of provision" in education.
Conservative leader David Cameron, whose son attends a state special needs school, also defended Mrs Kelly's decision, telling GMTV that the decision was a "personal matter". He said that some people would say it was hypocritical, but said that this would only be the case if Labour were in favour of abolishing private education.
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Sarah Teather said: "It's unfair to criticise a parent for choices they make for their individual child. But I do hope that Ruth and her colleagues will reflect on her personal experience and recognise hers was a not a unique situation.
"Lots of parents find themselves in the same position, with local services unable to provide their children with the support they need.
"Ministers would do well to learn from their colleague's experience. We need a state system that caters for all pupils' needs, however special."
(KMcA)
Mrs Kelly, who is now Communities Secretary, said that she had removed her son from a state school because of "professional advice". She said that the local authority had accepted her decision and she said that she had not requested any help in meeting the £15,000 per year cost of the school.
Mrs Kelly said that her son would remain at the school for a couple of years before he would move to attend a state secondary school.
Mrs Kelly's comments followed the publication of a story in the 'Daily Mirror', which revealed that the former Education Secretary was sending her son to a private school that cost £15,000 per year.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has supported her decision. A Downing Street spokesperson said: "What the Prime Minister supports absolutely is the right of parents to make choices about their children's education which are best suited to their children's needs irrespective of who their parents are of what job they do."
The spokesperson also added that Mr Blair had always believed in having a "mix of provision" in education.
Conservative leader David Cameron, whose son attends a state special needs school, also defended Mrs Kelly's decision, telling GMTV that the decision was a "personal matter". He said that some people would say it was hypocritical, but said that this would only be the case if Labour were in favour of abolishing private education.
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Sarah Teather said: "It's unfair to criticise a parent for choices they make for their individual child. But I do hope that Ruth and her colleagues will reflect on her personal experience and recognise hers was a not a unique situation.
"Lots of parents find themselves in the same position, with local services unable to provide their children with the support they need.
"Ministers would do well to learn from their colleague's experience. We need a state system that caters for all pupils' needs, however special."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
15 February 2005
Government issues guidance on school trips
Education and Skills Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has issued a list of school trip guidelines, to help plan safer trips for school children. The three-step approach aims to help improve both the quantity and quality of education outside the classroom, and focuses on increasing staff confidence, cutting bureaucracy and enriching outdoor provision.
Government issues guidance on school trips
Education and Skills Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has issued a list of school trip guidelines, to help plan safer trips for school children. The three-step approach aims to help improve both the quantity and quality of education outside the classroom, and focuses on increasing staff confidence, cutting bureaucracy and enriching outdoor provision.
21 March 2005
Government to 'raise standard and quality' of school dinners
The government has announced plans to raise the standard and quality of school dinners. Speaking at the launch of Labour's campaign policy document on children, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said that Labour was "committed to raising the nutritional standard of school meals".
Government to 'raise standard and quality' of school dinners
The government has announced plans to raise the standard and quality of school dinners. Speaking at the launch of Labour's campaign policy document on children, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said that Labour was "committed to raising the nutritional standard of school meals".
05 December 2013
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
02 October 2008
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
