School figures support Tory freedoms

They were among 31 heads and governors who published a letter yesterday saying they would apply for academy-style freedoms if the Tories came to power.

Lorraine Barker, principal of Mirfield Free Grammar in West Yorkshire, and Jane Aukett, vice chair of governors at Tolbar Business and Enterprise College in Grimsby, signed the letter saying "real freedom combined with rigorous accountability is vital to raise standards".

Under Tory proposals, high-performing state primaries and secondaries would be allowed to become semi-independent academies as early as September, giving them more power over the curriculum, qualifications, staff, budgets and admissions.