Sir David Bell: Government has too much power over education system

Former Ofsted chief Sir David Bell has called for an independent body to set strategy for schools.

He told Today's Mishal Husain: "We should set up an independent body to be providing advice ...it should publish it's findings and government should publish response."

On the government's role in education he said: "I think the education department and governments in general have too much power over the education system.

"If you think about the details of the curriculum, of examinations, of assessment, I think we can trust more those who know first hand the experience of children, those who work with them, to give better advice."

First broadcast Today programme 9 January 2015.