What we can learn from Swedish schools | 65
The Conservatives have recognised the benefits of the Swedish
reforms and have set out ambitious plans to follow the Swedish
example by allowing "educational charities, philanthropists, livery
companies, existing school federations, not-for-profit trusts, co-
operatives and groups of parents to set up new schools in the
state sector and access equivalent public funding to existing state
schools".29
The new schools would have significant freedoms, including
over curriculum, although as in Sweden would not be allowed to
charge any fees. Nor would they be allowed to select pupils. A key
difference between the Tory proposals and the Swedish reform is
that the new schools would not be permitted to make a profit.
The Party aims to create at least 220,000 new school places in
this way over the first nine years, which would represent a
significant and beneficial injection of competition. As has been
shown in Table 3, however, if the Party went further in replicating
the Swedish model, the number of pupils educated in new
independent schools could be even greater.
The UK's education system will reap huge gains once
policymakers realise that it's not extra spending that counts, but
how the money is spent. The Swedish reforms, which boosted
competition rather than increased spending, have worked. In
Britain, a far more urban country where the potential for new
entrants is greater, similar reforms could yield even greater results
than in Sweden, and it is encouraging to see the main opposition
party embrace the idea.
Ultimately, education should not be determined by politicians
picking ideal types of schools, an ideal curriculum or ideal
teaching methods, but by politicians trusting schools and parents
to make the right decisions about children's learning.
There are huge opportunities for policy-makers to grasp. The
Conservatives seem to be learning the lessons from Sweden, while
the Government has made moves in the right direction, but is
now rowing back.
29
Conservatives,`Raising the bar, closing the gap:An action plan for schools to raise standards, create more good school places and make opportunity more equal', November 2007

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