When David Cameron sacked controversial Education Secretary Michael Gove last summer it looked as if the Prime Minister was reining in some of the Government’s more radical schools policies.

But his recent announcement that another 500 free schools would be opened in England in the next five years if the Conservatives win has demonstrated that the Tories are still determined to push ahead with the revolution that Mr Gove started.

The Prime Minister argues that the new wave of state-funded free schools will raise standards and restore discipline, despite the problems, including the ill-fated Durham Free School closed down by Mr Gove’s replacement, Nicky Morgan.

The continued Tory support for the sometimes controversial free schools - and the party’s commitment to turn every failing or coasting state secondary school into an academy – shows clear blue water between the Conservatives and Labour.

Free schools are set up by academy sponsors, charities, groups of parents and operate independent of local authority control. Sponsors include academy trusts, faith groups, companies and universities.

Some academics have questioned whether there is any clear evidence that free schools or academies are any better than the schools they replace.

Many parents will welcome Tory plans to make GCSEs and A levels more challenging but there are concerns that this could mean that vocationally inclined children miss out.

The Conservatives say they are also determined to ensure there is a good primary school place for every child with ‘zero tolerance’ for failure.

Despite a Labour Government initially settling up the first academies to help struggling schools they now want to make academies more locally accountable and halt free schools.

Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt has said that if Labour wins the election they will ensure all schools are locally accountable.

He has also promised to give priority to new schools where there are shortages of school places – capping class sizes to 30 for five, six and seven year olds.

Labour has said it will reverse the Tory policy of allowing free schools to employ unqualified teachers.

Labour has also promised to cut university tuition fees from £9,000 to £6,000 a year.

David Laws, the Liberal Democrats schools minister, has also criticised the expansion of free schools saying it will “blow a giant £4bn hole in the school buildings budget.”

The Liberal Democrats want to protect the education budget “from cradle to college” so every youngster has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. They will also insist that every teacher in a state school is fully qualified.

UKIP also want to remove tuition fees for students taking approved degrees but only if they pay tax in the UK for five years after graduating. The party also favours free schools which uphold British values and would allow existing schools to apply to become grammar schools and select according to ability.