In the light of those conclusions, it was inevitable that the report would be produced as it was and that my right honourable friend took the action he did. My Lords, this is a splendid old school which does excellent work. Its standards and philosophy are quite different from those of Mr Chris Woodhead. Thank heaven there is at least one school where they are different. It would be an outrage to close down this school.
Parents send their children there because they want to.
Its achievements, including its educational achievements, are high. Please do not try to iron out all schools in accordance with the ideas of Mr Woodhead. My Lords, there is no intention of prohibiting parental choice or the freedom of the independent sector. However, as I said, the inspection identified serious weaknesses which need to be addressed. The hope is that the school will get down to addressing them.