The parents of truanting children will face on the spot fines as part of a new government bid to tackle poor behaviour in Britain's schools.

The measures will be among legislation to be announced in the Queen's Speech, Charles Clarke has hinted.

In his first speech in his new post, the education secretary also made clear that schools will be encouraged to experiment with what they teach and will not be blamed if their innovation fails.

Clarke tells the Times that his current priority is not top-up fees but moving secondary schools into the "comprehensive-plus era". He also tells the paper about his years spent teaching at a London comprehensive.