Nick Clegg: 'Parents need reassurance' on teaching

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said all English schools should have qualified teachers and follow a core curriculum.

At present, staff at academies and free schools are not required to have formal teaching qualifications and have broad control over the curriculum.

But the deputy prime minister said the shift would appear in his party's manifesto at the 2015 general election.

''Parents need reassurance...that their sons and daughters are being taught by qualified teachers, and are being taught the same core body of knowledge,'' he said.