EDUCATION Secretary Ruth Kelly defended her plans for creating a new breed of "independent" state schools amid continuing opposition from teachers and some Labour MPs.

Ms Kelly insisted her proposals - which will see more freedom for schools and a bigger role for the private sector - were rooted in Labour values.

And the Bolton West MP stressed that her controversial White Paper would help children from the poorest backgrounds.

Ms Kelly said about half of teenagers in England were still not getting five good GCSEs, despite improvements.

But the expertise from "partners" in business or faith groups can help transform struggling schools, she said.

She added: "We've seen what works, which is giving more power to teachers in the frontline, allowing them freedom to collaborate and work with other schools in their areas, allowing them to bring in help from the community and expertise from the local community."

The White Paper, published in October, proposed more freedom for schools to run their own affairs and a bigger role for parents and the private sector in state education.

Under the plans every school in England will have the chance to become an "independent", non-fee paying trust school.

These schools will be backed by businesses, universities and faith groups, who will all have powers over the way the schools are run.

Trust schools will be free from local authority control, able to manage their own assets, tailor their own curriculum and set their own admissions procedures.

Unions and Labour MPs fear the plans will result in a return to selection of pupils on academic ability and lead to a "two-tier" school system.