The private sector's role in schools has continued to grow

Teachers' leaders and rail-crash victims are angry that a �1.9m contract to advise struggling schools has been awarded to railway maintenance company, Jarvis.

Jarvis, the company responsible for maintaining the line at the site of the Potters Bar rail crash, has won a three-year contract to support 700 under-performing secondary schools.

But this latest expansion of private sector companies in education has infuriated teachers.

"I find it remarkable that a company that has such a record with the railways is asked to apply its expertise to schools. It can hardly fill anyone with confidence," Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, told BBC News Online

It touches on fundamental questions of political principle - about whether we want to have a democratically accountable education service Eamonn O'Kane, teachers' union leader

"The government should think very carefully before embarking on this route," he said.

"It touches on fundamental questions of political principle - about whether we want to have a democratically accountable education service, or bought-in services from companies who are driven by profit."

And he said there was no clear evidence that paying more to private companies delivered improved results.

Under-achievement

"Even the most charitable analysis would suggest that private companies haven't done much better than local authorities - and often it's been worse."

There were also complaints from a solicitor speaking on behalf of families of victims of the Potters Bar rail crash - who said the families would be "horrified" that the government had awarded the contract to Jarvis.

The education contract will require Jarvis to support good practice among some of the least-successful secondary schools in England.

There is no question of Jarvis telling schools and headteachers how to do their job Department for Education and Skills

But the Department for Education and Skills says that Jarvis will not be working in any direct educational role with individual schools, but will be helping to co-ordinate the efforts of local authorities.

The government is targeting extra funds at raising standards in schools which have been persistent under-achievers - and it wants Jarvis to make sure that local authorities use these funds effectively.

"There is no question of Jarvis telling schools and head teachers how to do their job, but their role will be to supply a network of support to local authorities," said an education department spokesperson.

The DfES says that the contract followed an "open and fair tendering process for which the public sector was free to apply. No one from the public sector came forward".

Jarvis is already involved with a number of schools and universities.

Last week, the company announced a �50m project with the University of Reading to provide student accommodation and facilities management, in a contract that will last for 35 years.

The company also has private finance initiative contracts with schools, including the building of a new Barnhill Community School in west London.

'Failing' authorities

Developed at a cost of �20m, the company will provide management services for 25 years, including maintenance, engineering, information technology and security.

The use of private finance initiative (PFI) schemes in schools has been controversial.

Proponents argue that it releases money for new buildings and services which would otherwise not be available.

But opponents say that it takes money from public services without any clear signs of increased benefits.

In January, an Audit Commission report found that the first PFI schools were "significantly worse" than other new schools in England and Wales.

The spending watchdog said they lost out in terms of space, heating, lighting and acoustics.

Private companies have also been involved in providing services in the place of "failing" local education authorities.

Among the most high-profile cases has been the London Borough of Islington, where a private contractor has been paid to run education services - and has had financial penalties for failing to achieve exam targets.