article: The first wave of the flagship state-funded, but independent schools, some 24, are opening this term. Education Secretary Michael Gove has said profit is not needed in free schools at the moment. But Mr Clegg said the schools would not become "the preserve of the privileged few". In his speech in London on Monday, aimed at reassuring Liberal Democrat sceptics, Mr Clegg said he was confident the schools would give "fairer chances" to children from the most deprived backgrounds. Some Lib Dems have opposed them amid fears they could be socially divisive. Mr Clegg admitted the schools were seen as controversial by many and came with risks, but also said they would improve standards and integration. "To anyone worried that, by expanding the mix of providers in our education system, we are inching towards inserting the profit motive into our school system, again, let me reassure you," he said. "Yes to greater diversity; yes to more choice for parents. But no to running schools for profit, not in our state-funded education sector." He added that he thought tax payers would not think it was fair for schools to make a profit. Mr Clegg added that free schools "must not be the preserve of the privileged few - creaming off the best pupils while leaving the rest to fend for themselves, causing problems for and draining resources from other nearby schools". "So let me give you my reassurance - I would never tolerate that," he said. Mr Clegg also called on free schools to admit at least the same proportion of free school meal pupils as the local average and open up facilities to the local community. By Norman SmithChief political correspondent, BBC News Channel Nick Clegg's speech on free schools is all part of his "differentiation strategy" to spell out the differences between his party and the Conservatives. Hence his insistence that free schools mustn't just be for pushy middle class parents, but instead should give priority to poorer and more deprived pupils. Similarly Mr Clegg has demanded that the Coalition rule out allowing profit-making companies to run free schools. The message he wants his party and the electorate to take from all this is that the Lib Dems are not being pushed around by the Tories within the Coalition, and are stamping their own views on key government policies. It follows a similar approach over the NHS reforms, the banks and human rights legislation. Now, in the run up to the Lib Dem conference later this month, we can probably expect to see many more instances of the Lib Dems publicly wrangling with the Tories over policy. But Mr Clegg warned that parents had to "do their bit too" to help with their children's schooling. "The fact is - if you don't take an interest in your child's education, teachers cannot make up the shortfall. "We currently have the most talented generation of teachers this country has ever seen. But they cannot do everything," he said. Mr Gove has denied he was forced to back down by Mr Clegg after reports
summary: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said those running England's free schools will not be able to do so for profit.