Government could compromise on academies after backbencher fury
EDUCATION Secretary Nicky Morgan is planning to water down the Government’s plans to make every school in England an Academy after pressure from backbench Conservatives.
The Government could compromise on academies
Ms Morgan is considering letting top-performing councils set up their own academy chains after as many as 40 Tory MPs threatened to rebel on the matter.
The plan, announced by Chancellor George Osborne last month, has attracted criticism from backbenchers who have queried why well-performing schools have to stop doing what they have been doing successfully.
Nicky Morgan is trying to secure a compromise, it is claimed
My concern is that the change will lead to a poorer education system
Paul Carter, chairman of the County Councils Network, which covers 37 local authorities, said: “My concern is that the change will lead to a poorer education system because the value that local authorities generally provide to schools will be removed.”
A school
Ms Morgan’s task to hold off the potential rebellion - which could see the Government defeated in the Commons - before the Queen’s Speech of May 18.
As well as letting councils set up their own academy chains, concessions being considered reportedly include allowing councils the power to tell academies to expand or to make them take vulnerable children.
George Osborne announced the plan last month
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Our education reforms are raising standards and 1.4million more children are now in good or outstanding schools.
“Our White Paper reforms are the next step in ensuring every child has access to an excellent education by putting control in the hands of the teachers and school leaders who know their pupils best.
“We want to work constructively with the sector to deliver this and ensure standards continue to rise.”