SWEEPING changes to the education system published in a Government White Paper this week prompted mixed reactions across the county.

Revealed on Tuesday, education secretary Ruth Kelly's High Standards, Better Schools for All paper aims to give every school the option of becoming a trust school which could own assets, appoint staff and governors and set admissions policies.

It would also provide parents with greater choice and powers to call for failing schools to improve.

But the paper prompted an angry reaction from Mick Farley, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council in Cumbria, who described it as "a disastrous distraction from the real issue which is about universally high standards".

"The White Paper takes us down a cul-de-sac its concerns with structure and choice is empty rhetoric," he said.

"Unless there are universally high standards, choice simply becomes a race for the best provision the state can offer.

"The parental power proposed in the White Paper, far from empowering all parents, will in fact only further advantage wealthy and well-educated parents.

"And what choice can there be in rural areas?"

The role of Local Education Authorities would also change dramatically if the proposals were adopted.

They would cease to become a direct provider of education, swapping the duties associated with the day-to-day running of schools for a role in helping to drive standards higher.

Moira Swann, corporate director for children's services at Cumbria County Council, gave the paper a cautionary welcome.

"There is clearly much work to be done to fully assess the impact of the paper. However, I welcome its intention every child should have access to the best possible school and the White Paper sets out this intention."

She added: "However, the way to achieve this is to ensure that every school is an excellent school."