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Blair wants another 200 academies Blair wants another 200 academies
(about 4 hours later)
PM Tony Blair has announced a major expansion in England of the city academies programme, which aims to improve schools in disadvantaged areas.PM Tony Blair has announced 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 said he wanted 400 academies, double the present target for the year 2010.In a speech in Birmingham, Mr Blair said he wanted 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 also wants 100 of the equally controversial new trust schools to be planned by next spring. There is a £10,000 incentive for early adopters.Mr Blair also wants 100 of the equally controversial new trust schools to be planned by next spring. There is a £10,000 incentive for early adopters.
BaccalaureateBaccalaureate
Mr Blair was appearing 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.Mr Blair was appearing 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.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE six main subjects studied over two years from literature, a second language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics and computer sciences and the arts three to higher level (240 teaching hours) three at standard level (150 hours)plus three compulsory sections: 4,000-word essay on a topic of the student's interest; theory of knowledge; and creativity, action, service He praised academies as an "integral part" of education that bring "more choice and higher standards". He praised 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. EXAM CHANGES New A* grade at A-levelMore stretching questionsAt least one International Baccalaureate centre in each area href="/1/hi/education/6159857.stm" class="">Changes in detail 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 the outside 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.
No new date was put on the aspiration of having 400.No new date was put on the aspiration of having 400.
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.
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.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.
ExpertiseExpertise
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis confirmed the latest list of potential partners: Unilever, the Co-operative Group and College, Exeter University, Laing O'Rourke, Essex University, Sunderland University, the University of Wolverhampton and the University of the West of England.Schools Minister Andrew Adonis confirmed the latest list of potential partners: Unilever, the Co-operative Group and College, Exeter University, Laing O'Rourke, Essex University, Sunderland University, the University of Wolverhampton and the University of the West of England.
"It shows the range of potential partners that can bring expertise to the table to help schools develop," he said."It shows the range of potential partners that can bring expertise to the table to help schools develop," he said.
He announced plans for a wave of "early adopter" trust schools which would be eligible to apply for up to £10,000 to help with set-up costs.He announced plans for a wave of "early adopter" trust schools which would be eligible to apply for up to £10,000 to help with set-up costs.
There are now 30 "pathfinder" projects embracing more than 50 schools.There are now 30 "pathfinder" projects embracing more than 50 schools.
The general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, Mary Bousted, said: "The government should stop its obsession with academies before it does any further damage.The general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, Mary Bousted, said: "The government should stop its obsession with academies before it does any further damage.
"ATL fails to see how academies and trust schools will address the twin evilsof pupil under-achievement and inequality of opportunity. "ATL fails to see how academies and trust schools will address the twin evils of pupil under-achievement and inequality of opportunity.
"Trusts are a solution in search of a problem. We can't see what academiesand trusts can do, that foundation schools cannot." "Trusts are a solution in search of a problem. We can't see what academies and trusts can do, that foundation schools cannot."