The duty is part of the Education and Inspections Act and requires localauthorities to formally respond to complaints by parents who are unhappywith their child's school. It came into effect at the end of lastmonth.
But Margaret Morrissey, spokeswoman for the confederation, said thepowers were unrealistic and warned only a tiny minority of parents woulduse them. "If a school is really dire, and parents are desperatelyconcerned, they might get together and seek help, but they will be fewand far between," she said. "Most parents aren't brave enough to say toomuch."
Morrissey called for a return to greater parental involvement in Ofstedinspections.
A spokesman for the Family & Parenting Institute welcomed theintroduction of the duty but said it was important that schools andlocal authorities inform parents about their new powers.
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