Is too much choice a bad thing? Comparing the experience of parental choice in English and Scottish education

Writer and campaigner Melissa Benn is in conversation with Aveek Aveek Bhattacharya about his new research comparing the different approaches to secondary school choice in England and Scotland.

Successive governments in England have emphasised the importance of school choice and encouraged parents to choose between different schools for their children. Contrastingly in Scotland, the government has limited the amount of choice with most children going to their local school.

Despite the difference, Scottish families are no less satisfied or empowered by their level of school choice - an equal share of parents are happy with the amount of choice they have over the school their child will attend. Another lively policy insights discussion from The David Hume Institute, which provides plenty of food for thought.