Co-operative trust schools pilot announced

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said the money would fund a trial giving parents, teachers and communities direct power over the running of local schools.

The investment will pay for a pilot of 100 trusts with co-operative models over the next two years.

Balls said: "I want to see more parents and communities actively involved in schools and the co-operative model is an ideal way to do this."

The first co-operative trust school, Reddish Vale Technology College in Stockport, opened this April. A second in Hull is due to open later this year.

Balls said: "As the first co-operative trust is now successfully up and running, I want to see this model rolled out across the country, cultivating co-operative schools and the democratic, innovative opportunity they represent."

Peter Marks, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, added: "We are convinced that this ethos, which is built on our co-operative values dating back more than 150 years, will lead to higher standards, aspirations and achievements."