Education and Inspection Bill

The government's school reform legislation will "guarantee no return to selection by ability", the education secretary has said.

Publishing the Education and Inspection Bill on Tuesday, Ruth Kelly sought to reassure Labour MPs that the plans for new trust schools will not produce a two-tier state secondary system.

Ahead of the Bill receiving its second reading in the Commons later in March, ministers have been seeking to reduce the size of a likely Labour rebellion by offering concessions on the original plans.

"The Bill will provide a guarantee that primary legislation will ensure no return to selection by ability, announcing a series of measures to toughen up school admissions practices, including a bar on interviewing, a more robust status for the school admissions code of practice and greater powers for admission forums," the Department for Education and Skills said.

The Bill also leaves open the option of councils building new schools, despite taking on a strategic rather than providing role, although the education secretary will retain a veto if she feels the plans have not been thought through.

Stakeholder Response: General Teaching Council