Parents in a market‐place: some responses to information, diversity and power

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Abstract
To assess how far parents value diversity and use the information provided in the new educational market‐place, 659 parents were interviewed. There was strong support for testing, especially among parents in non‐manual occupations, and 60‐70 per cent would use published test results in the hypothetical circumstance of now having to choose a school for their child. Most parents looked at league tables but three‐quarters said that the tables had not made them think differently about their child's school. They were overwhelmingly positive about reports and follow‐up meetings with teachers. However, parents are equivocal about opting out, and views are moving against the policy. The Parent's Charter had not generally been found helpful. Class‐based difference was found in some areas, particularly in interest in governance. Although parents are very positive about their own children's schools and teachers, they seem to value the hard information about their children's progress which recent reforms have provided.

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