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PM to boost private-fund schools PM to boost private-fund schools
(about 3 hours later)
PM Tony Blair is to announce a major expansion in England of the city academies programme, which aims to improve schools in disadvantaged areas.PM Tony Blair is to announce a major expansion in England of the city academies programme, which aims to improve schools in disadvantaged areas.
In a speech in Birmingham, Mr Blair is expected to say he wants 400 academies to be set up in England. In a speech in Birmingham, Mr Blair will say he wants 400 academies, double the present target for the year 2010.
The academies are independent of local authorities and part private-funded.The academies are independent of local authorities and part private-funded.
Mr Blair is also expected to want 100 of the equally controversial new trust schools by next spring. Changes in exams are also in the pipeline. Mr Blair is also expected to want 100 of the equally controversial new trust schools to be planned by next spring. Changes in exams are also mooted.
BaccalaureateBaccalaureate
Mr Blair is to speak at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Conference. Mr Blair is to appear at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust annual conference, in a speech marking 10 years since he vowed to make "education, education, and education" his priorities.
He is expected to praise academies as an "integral part" of education that bring "more choice and higher standards".He is expected to praise academies as an "integral part" of education that bring "more choice and higher standards".
City academies and trust schools are at the core of Mr Blair's education policy and both have proved controversial.City academies and trust schools are at the core of Mr Blair's education policy and both have proved controversial.
City academies started opening in 2002.City academies started opening in 2002.
To become an academy, a school must raise up to £2m from private sponsors. In return, the government pays the rest of the start-up costs, typically £25m.To become an academy, a school must raise up to £2m from private sponsors. In return, the government pays the rest of the start-up costs, typically £25m.
Critics are concerned that sponsors - for example, businesses, faith groups and charities - have too much control over the school governance. Critics are concerned that the outside sponsors - for example, businesses, faith groups and charities - have too much control over the school governance.
The current target is for 200 to be established or agreed by 2010. The government is halfway towards this.The current target is for 200 to be established or agreed by 2010. The government is halfway towards this.
Trust schools were enabled in the Education and Inspections Act, with some Labour backbenchers fearing they would lead to a two-tier education system.Trust schools were enabled in the Education and Inspections Act, with some Labour backbenchers fearing they would lead to a two-tier education system.
Under the new legislation parents, businesses and voluntary groups can run trust schools.Under the new legislation parents, businesses and voluntary groups can run trust schools.
Mr Blair is also expected to announce significant changes to exams, backing the International Baccalaureate Diploma as an alternative to A-levels. The trusts will take control of their own buildings and land, directly employ their own staff, and will set and manage their own admissions criteria, while remaining state maintained schools.
Mr Blair is also expected to announce significant changes to exams, backing the International Baccalaureate Diploma as an alternative to A-levels for state schools.
A-levels will remain, however - with Mr Blair talking about the government's plans to make them more challenging for the brighter students.