Kelly embroiled in private school row

Ruth Kelly, the former education secretary, was today embroiled in a row over a decision to move her child out of the state system to attend a £15,000-a-year private school.

The move was described as a "slap in the face" by one senior Labour backbencher, although David Cameron, the Conservative leader, refused to criticise Miss Kelly, saying it was a "personal matter".

It was revealed yesterday that the child of a senior Cabinet minister had been transferred from a state primary school to a £15,000-a-year preparatory school for children with learning difficulties. It was claimed the state school involved did not adequately cater for the child’s special needs.

The switch is the latest in a series of "defections" by the children of Labour MPs from state to private schools.

Miss Kelly, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, refused to comment this morning, although Downing Street was expected to make an official statement later.

Margaret Hodge, the Trade and Industry minister, admitted yesterday that there was a public interest in whether Labour MPs sent their children to private schools.

Mr Cameron said he did not think the minister’s decision was hypocritical but added that he intended to send his children to state school.

He said that the minister was "a parent first, but we’re all parents first rather than politicians" and "must do the right thing" for children.

"Some people are going to say it’s hypocrisy," he said. "Well, if they were going to abolish private education then it would be hypocrisy but they’re not. People should recognise that politicians like everyone else are parents first and will act in the best interests of their children."

Mr Cameron, whose son Ivan suffers from cerebral palsy, said: "I’d like my children to go to a state school, that’s my intention, but you must always do the right thing as a parent."

Under Miss Kelly, the Department for Education and Skills repeatedly said that the needs of children with learning difficulties were best served by mainstream state schools.

Alan Johnson, the current Education Secretary, said today: "I’m not going to talk about personal issues involving a colleague and her child without any indication of what the facts are."

Present education policy encourages the schooling of children with learning difficulties within the mainstream state system where possible.

The private school in question grooms children with a particular, relatively common condition for entry into elite public schools such as Harrow and Winchester.

According to reports, it is based in a country house in the Home Counties and offers its 60 pupils, who are aged seven to 13, intensive one-on-one tuition and the use of facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts and music rooms.

Downing Street said that the move was necessary because there was insufficient state provision to educate the child locally.

However, the local council involved denied the claims and said: "Our schools are well-resourced and provide high-quality education for all."

It is the latest is a series of embarrassing school selection rows involving the children of high-profile Labour MPs.

Diane Abbott, the left-wing MP, spurned poorly performing comprehensives near her home in Hackney, north-east London, to send her son to the £10,000-a-year City of London School.

Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, sent his daughter and two eldest sons to fee-charging schools in north London and Keith Bradley, the former deputy chief whip, pulled his son out of a comprehensive school in Manchester to enrol him in Manchester Grammar School.

Tony Blair himself was condemned by left-wingers within his party for overlooking state schools near his north London home to send his children to the Oratory School, a Roman Catholic secondary, which has been criticised in the past for interviewing prospective pupils.

Ian Gibson, the Norwich North MP, yesterday labelled the latest move "wrong" and said the minister involved should "set an example" by supporting state education.

"I deprecate anybody, any minister who chooses to do this," he said. "It’s a slap in the face for the teachers and the pupils in the school that the child has been taken out of."

Ms Hodge said: "There is a public interest in this story. I think, given our commitment to state education, it is an issue of public interest. However, I think the paramount importance is maintaining privacy for children."

Source: The Telegraph