IN Scotland right now there are parents and communities who would love the chance to run their school, but are being told that they can't.

 

St Joseph's Primary in Milngavie is one such example.

Last year, parents were informed that the school was set to close. They appealed the decision but the Scottish Government turned them down.

At this point they could have called it a day; put away their banners and accepted the call.

But they didn't. Instead they formed a plan.

They wrote to the First Minister saying that if the council was unwilling to keep St Joseph's open they would step into the breach and seek to do it themselves.

Their example: Jordanhill school right here in Glasgow, which - uniquely in Scotland - is funded by the state but is not under the control of the local authority.

No fees are paid, there is no academic selection but the school doesn't have to answer to council bosses and is directly funded by the Scottish Government.

It also happens to be one of the best performing schools in the country, with nearly half of pupils (48%) achieving five Higher passes in 2013.

It is so attractive that people now pay over-the-odds for a house in the catchment area and for 27 years Jordanhill has functioned successfully.

The Scottish Conservatives believe this model is one that more of our schools should be allowed to follow.

That is why, during my speech to our conference on Friday, I unveiled our plans for a 'Parent Power' Law.

This means that if local communities wanted to take a school out of council control they wouldn't be blocked from doing so.

At a stroke, it would broaden choice and empower head teachers, parents and the local area.

It would change our education culture and end the present era of stultifying government control.

It would, in short, place more power in the hands of local people and end the system of one-size-fits all.

As the parents involved with St Joseph's have demonstrated there are communities out there who have a plan and are determined to make a difference.

Why should the Government stand in their way?

So far I have managed to convince the First Minister to meet with parents but she says she's not changed her mind on the issue.

It's my hope that when she does sit down and hear the plans, she will be convinced of their merits.

Because if we are truly serious about tackling the attainment gap then we must think boldly; we must expand choice, empower teachers and enable local communities to have a greater say.

A 'Parent Power' Law would achieve these aims and end the current system which for so many, simply doesn't work.