Smaller group teaching is planned

The shift in focus to "tailor-made" teaching was announced by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly on Thursday.

It is part of Labour's five-year education plan to target teaching to children's strengths and weaknesses.

But teachers are already over-stretched and changes will need to be supported by greater resources, say unions.

Struggling students and high-flyers are being promised extra lessons in small groups and "parent power" is being put at the heart of changes to the education system.

The government must realise that tailored learning is expensive and needs to be properly funded and supported Martin Ward, Secondary Heads Association

Representatives of teachers and parents feel much of this has been said before and there is nothing new in the proposals.

Both have expressed concerns about how these changes will be funded.

Secondary Heads Association (SHA) deputy general secretary Martin Ward said: "SHA has supported the idea of personalised learning for a number of years.

"The government must realise that tailored learning is expensive and needs to be properly funded and supported.

"If it is not, they will raise parents' expectations of a service that schools cannot deliver."

Ring-fenced funding

The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) feels cheated that although parent power is at the heart of Labour's education pledges, they have not been consulted on the matter.

Spokeswoman Margaret Morrissey said: "We feel a little bit bruised.

"We have all the will in the world to work with Ruth Kelly, but get a little bit upset when things are done in the name of the people we represent.

"We are also concerned that all the mechanisms for discussions with parents are being taken away, so how is the government going to achieve greater input from parents?"

She is referring to the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) proposals to end pre-inspection parents meetings and questionnaires.

"Any changes have got to be followed up with funding and it has to be ring-fenced funding," said Mrs Morrissey.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has welcomed the proposals, but with reservations.

NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott said: " A more tailored curriculum, smaller groups and one-to-one teaching would bring great benefits to pupils.

"The NUT has long argued for smaller classes, personalised learning and a reduction in the prescribed curriculum.

"Such an approach comes at a cost.

"Reducing class sizes requires more teachers, as does one-to-one teaching.

"Time and resources are needed if the curriculum is to be tailored to each child's needs."

One school that has embraced greater parental involvement in school life is Greenford High in west London.

It has set up a database of children's test results and welcomes the idea that the information could be accessed by parents online, rather than waiting for the annual parents' evening.

The school is in favour of smaller group teaching but is worried about how it can be achieved.

Head teacher Kate Griffin said: "I really welcome the focus on education.

"But we have been through a period of tremendous change and that doesn't seem to be stopping in any sense and it would be good to have a bit of stability."