As he battles to stem the growing opposition to his education reforms, Tony Blair has questioned the role of government.

He asks whether it is to "tell you what you want" or "help you put power in your hands to do what you want".

He has said schools would not be forced to become trusts. They would have permission to do so.

But a decision by one school to take control of its admissions could have serious ramifications for others.

Secondary heads and governors across the county are almost unanimously opposed to the White Paper.

They are worried that a proud history of collaboration in Oxfordshire would be shattered in an admissions free-for-all.

The Government insists the reforms will raise standards and better meet our educational needs locally. But surely our schools themselves are in the best position to know what they need to achieve this.

If Mr Blair really wants to question the role of government in education, perhaps he should ask again what schools want.

If he listens, he will find out.