To what extent should parents be involved in schools? Is increased parental engagement the key to improving schools or does it just give pushy parents an opportunity to promote the interests of their own children at the expense of others? Some teachers blame poor parenting for a range of problems including poor pupil behaviour, but should schools be involved in sorting this out. Are the powers being given to parents to control schools, including setting up their own, likely to improve or exacerbate the problem? Krishnan Guru-Murthy presents a lively debate with guests including the author Toby Young, the journalist and campaigner Fiona Millar, the General Secretary of the ATL Mary Bousted and Rachel Wolf, of the New Schools Network, which helps parents to set up their own schools.

Video Series: Big Debate
Release Date 2009