Schools will be able to set own pay scale

Every state school will be given the right to apply to ditch the National Curriculum and set its own pay scales for teachers under a blueprint proposed yesterday by Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education.

The proposal to give heads freedom to run their own schools marks a shift in government thinking from the tight restrictions that have characterised the first five years of Labour in power.

In his first important speech since taking office, Mr Clarke made clear only those schools that had earned their freedom through good inspection reports would initially be granted it.

Speaking at a conference to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Ofsted, the Government's education standards watchdog, he added: "I want as many schools as possible to qualify over time. As standards continue to rise, there is no reason why all of our schools can't eventually qualify."

He stressed: "What I have just said is an offer of freedom for all, not a free for all." Ofsted would be "pivotal" in deciding which schools would be granted freedom from Whitehall, he said.

The move was greeted with dismay by union leaders. Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: "Any move to weaken such a national framework will meet with strong resistance."

But Mr Clarke's decision will be greeted with enthusiasm by many headteachers.