An action plan to raise school standards and increase equality of opportunity in education has been published by David Cameron, the Conservative leader.

The plans will raise the standards of schools which are performing poorly, improve school discipline and allow new schools to open.

Proposals include plans to:

Ensure that every child who is capable of doing so can read by the age of six;
Assist charities, voluntary groups and parents to set up new schools in the state sector;
Improve discipline and behaviour in classrooms;
Promote best practice, including school uniform policies, prefects and awards for academic and sporting achievement.
Encourage more extra-curricular activities.

Jeremy Lefroy, the Conservative PPC for Stafford and Penkridge, said:

“I welcome these proposals. They will help to raise standards, tackle unruly behaviour and deliver more teaching by ability.

“Education is uniquely important for our nation. It can enable each of us to fulfil our individual potential; at the same time it plays a major role in determining our country’s economic performance and social cohesion in the future.

“The countries which have improved their economic standing so dramatically in the past 50 years – among them South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan – have done primarily through investing in education. We have to do the same.”