Kevin Brennan MP, Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister, responding to the Education Select Committee report ‘School Partnerships and Cooperation’, said:

“Labour has long argued that collaboration between schools is what is needed if we are to deliver a step-change in standards across all schools. In June, we said that all schools would have to demonstrate effective collaboration with weaker schools for them to be rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

“This report - by a cross-party group of MPs - is a damning indictment of David Cameron’s schools policy that drives competition between schools instead of incentivising partnerships between them. By pitching schools against each other and allowing unqualified teachers into our classrooms, Cameron is damaging school standards.”