Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb, the Conservative MP for Bognor Regisand Littlehampton, made the case for the changes as a committee of MPsbegan detailed scrutiny of the Bill. He said the two changes wouldaddress "the concern of many critics of the Bill that the independenceand autonomy that the Bill will give to schools ... appears tocontradict the drive behind the Children Act 2004".
Labour MP David Chaytor proposed another amendment that would requirelocal authorities "to promote the fulfilment by every child of hispotential, rather than specifically his educational potential".
The MPs also debated an amendment that would put a duty on councils topromote children's wellbeing. But schools minister Jacqui Smith insistedall four of the changes were unnecessary. She said: "I am not willing toaccept them as they stand."
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