Education Secretary Ruth Kelly was jeered and accused of patronising headteachers hours after meeting staff and pupils at a secondary school.

Yesterday Ms Kelly spent the lunch break talking with teachers and youngsters at Hove Park School but was given a frosty reception at the Secondary Heads Association (SHA) annual conference.

The association was disappointed with her decision to reject the Tomlinson plans to replace A-levels and GCSEs with a new diploma.

SHA deputy general secretary Martin Ward also criticised plans to increase parental involvement at schools, saying that parents who attend Islington dinner parties may want to take part but those from council estates on the outskirts of cities might not.

Delegates at the conference jeered Ms Kelly when she addressed them at the Hilton Metropole.

Varndean School headteacher Andy Schofield said: "Her speech was surprisingly patronising as she seemed to think a lot of her ideas were things we hadn't thought of such as after-school clubs. Parent involvement came up and although parents at Varndean are overwhelmingly supportive it was clear that other headteachers run schools where parents are not.

"I think Ruth Kelly's experience is mainly of primary schools where you would expect greater parental involvement."

However, Mark Whitby, the headteacher of East Brighton College of Media Arts (Comart), disagrees.

Mr Whitby, who is not a member of SHA and did not attend the conference, said: "I completely refute SHA's comments. Working with Whitehawk parents at Comart I have been overwhelmed by their proactive response and concern for their children's futures. I don't know why somebody would say it is about wealth and social class."

Falmer High School headteacher Stuart McLaughlin, who is also not a member of SHA, said: "Schools have to try and get parents involved as partners in their children's education. It might be more of a challenge in some areas but we must rise to that challenge. At Falmer we want parents to see the school as a resource for them as well and give them a sense of ownership."