Lessons to be learned from Sweden system

The Conservative free schools policy, which is based on a Swedish system, means that parents who are unhappy with the choice of schools in their area will be able to apply to open up their own.

Peter Fyles, the chief executive of the Internationella Engelska Skollen (International English School) told the Yorkshire Post, however, that parental involvement in the running of schools had declined since the reforms were brought in and that more private businesses had taken over state schools.

"Parents have not been able to run schools because of the double focus," he said.

"It is a full-time role that demands hard graft. You cannot be a teacher and a plumber and parents no longer have a reason to remain involved once their children grow up."

Mr Fyles said the Swedish model had allowed schools greater

independence.