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PMQs: Cameron vows to 'finish the job' on academies PMQs: Cameron vows to 'finish the job' on academies
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron has defended controversial plans to force all state schools in England to become academies, saying it is time to "finish the job".David Cameron has defended controversial plans to force all state schools in England to become academies, saying it is time to "finish the job".
During Prime Minister's Questions, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn cited opposition to the "top down reorganisation" from teachers, parents and Tory MPs. During Prime Minister's Questions, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn cited opposition to the "top down reorganisation" from teachers, parents and some Tory MPs.
He said good schools should not be distracted by "arbitrary changes".He said good schools should not be distracted by "arbitrary changes".
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said critics of the proposal have raised "important issues". Sources said the government was likely to guarantee no small rural schools would close as a result of the shakeup.
But during PMQs, Mr Cameron sounded "more robust" on the plans than his minister, BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg has been told ministers are having lots of conversations with Conservative MPs to tackle their concerns - but are not intending to back down on the policy.
Academies, which started under the Labour government, are funded directly by central government and are independent of local authority control.Academies, which started under the Labour government, are funded directly by central government and are independent of local authority control.
In March's Budget, the government announced the move to force all of England's state schools that have not yet converted to academies to do so.In March's Budget, the government announced the move to force all of England's state schools that have not yet converted to academies to do so.
Some Conservative MPs have questioned the wisdom of forcing all schools to make the switch, which has has been outlined in a white paper. Some Conservative MPs have questioned the wisdom of forcing all schools to make the switch, which has has been outlined in a white paper, in particular the impact on small rural schools if academy chains are not willing to take them over.
It has also been opposed by teaching unions. Conservative backbencher Andrew Percy said it was "a very hard sell" to tell good or outstanding schools they must change their governance arrangements.
"The government needs to do a lot more before it's convinced myself and a lot of backbenchers that forcing academisation is necessary," he added.
The enforced change has also been opposed by teaching unions, and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said critics of the proposal have raised "important issues".
Mr Corbyn asked the PM to explain "why good school leaders should focus their time and resources not on educating children but on arbitrary changes imposed from above".Mr Corbyn asked the PM to explain "why good school leaders should focus their time and resources not on educating children but on arbitrary changes imposed from above".
Mr Cameron said schools that were performing well had "nothing to fear" from being converted to academies.Mr Cameron said schools that were performing well had "nothing to fear" from being converted to academies.
The reform had been "hugely effective" he said, adding: "We have seen massive improvements in our schools because of academies and we say let's get on with it, finish the job and give all our children a great opportunity."The reform had been "hugely effective" he said, adding: "We have seen massive improvements in our schools because of academies and we say let's get on with it, finish the job and give all our children a great opportunity."