Private schools should link up with schools from the state sector or lose their charitable status, the IPPR argued today.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, deputy general secretary for ATL, told ePolitix.com: "Divides damage education.The most damaging divide is arguably that between the high-status academic and the more under-rated vocational. This is an area independent/state partnerships have yet to address but which should be more of a priority than the relatively easy option of just saying that it is time for the government to put money into a fee-paying sector, parts of which already benefit from charitable status."ATL welcomes new ideas and would want to see a real discussion about what each sector has to offer. Indeed, Dr Seldon will be addressing an ATL conference on Saturday 9th November. If the work done by the two Brighton schools stimulates debate that will be useful. But the ideas put forward so far sound more aspirational than inspirational."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

A spokewoman for the National Union of Teachers told ePolitix.com: "Encouragement currently exists from government for private and state sector partnership. However, there may need to be more pressure. It should not just be a one way flow. Independent schools have a lot to learn from state schools."