Schools minister David Miliband has floated the idea that state schools could be run by chief executives without teaching qualifications.

Forum Response: The Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, deputy secretary general for ATL, told ePolitix.com: "David Millibands's idea makes education sound more like a business than ever. You will only get good education leadership from a qualified teacher.

"It does make us worry that the DfES has the idea that one size of education leadership fits all. If there is to be local innovation, it needs to come from an educational professional. We are disappointed that the new minister seems to have come up with an old idea."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

A spokeswoman for the NUT told ePolitix.com: "It has been tried in the independent sector, and didn't work. The headteacher is literally that - the teacher who leads a team of teachers. Of course they need managerial and budgeting skills but supremely important is their knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary for PAT, told ePolitix.com: said: "Head teachers are not just managers - although that is part of their job - they also have a vital role in setting the educational standards in their school. As the job title suggests, they are head teachers, leading by example.

"How could someone with no experience of education understand teaching and teachers and guide the staff of educational professionals?"