STROUD’S parliamentary candidates were questioned about their party policies for education at a hustings organised by the National Union of Teachers.

Conservative MP Neil Carmichael was at the event on Thursday along with candidates from Labour, the Lib Dems, Ukip, the Green party and an NUT representative.

Free schools, the expansion of Stroud’s grammar schools, teacher work load and the pressure of Ofsted inspections were discussed.

A hot topic for Stroud at the moment, the deputy general secretary of NUT Kevin Courtney outlined his concerns about the ‘marketisation’ of schools which, he argued, results in winners and losers. He said: “This is not the mechanism we want.”

Both Marling and Stroud High have recently announced plans to increase their student intake in the next academic year from 120 to 150 pupils each.

The schools say they are addressing the increased demand for places despite education bosses at the county council saying there isn’t a need.

The move has led to bad feeling with Stroud’s comprehensives who say it will hit their finances.

Mr Carmichael gave his support to the two Stroud grammar schools, pointing out that academies are working well. He said: “All schools should be thinking about how they can appeal to parents and teachers.”

Ukip’s Caroline Stephens also explained why her party was backing grammar schools. “Teachers teach to the best of their ability so I don’t think students will be left behind.”

This led to attacks from the other candidates however who were against the marketisation of free schools.

Lib Dem Adrian Walker-Smith said: “I don’t think grammar schools are fair.”

Labour’s David Drew labelled academies a ‘disaster’.

The Green candidate county councillor Sarah Lunnon agreed: “There is no place for academies and free schools in our education system.”