Clegg calls on schools 'to raise their game'

A Lib Dem government would find the extra money for schools in England even while cuts are imposed in other areas of Government spending and would give teachers "a level of freedom you haven't known for decades", Mr Clegg will promise.

But he will say that in return he would expect them to deliver on dramatic improvements to the curriculum, an increase in the number of children getting good results and a tightening in the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their wealthier classmates.

Speaking to the Association of School and College Leaders conference in London, Mr Clegg will accuse the Conservatives of pledging to help poorer pupils without explaining where the money will come from and attack Labour for trying to "buy schools" by linking extra spending with heavy-handed state control.

"Labour didn't fund schools, they bought schools," Mr Clegg will say.

Both Lib Dems and Conservatives are promising a Pupil Premium to boost funding for schools with children from disadvantaged backgrounds.