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One in 10 schools now academies | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent | By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent |
More than one-in-10 state secondary schools in England are now academies, outside of local authority control. | More than one-in-10 state secondary schools in England are now academies, outside of local authority control. |
The government says there are now 407 primary and secondary schools with this state-funded independent status. | The government says there are now 407 primary and secondary schools with this state-funded independent status. |
"Head teachers and teachers - not politicians and bureaucrats - know best how to run schools," said Education Secretary Michael Gove. | "Head teachers and teachers - not politicians and bureaucrats - know best how to run schools," said Education Secretary Michael Gove. |
The National Union of Teachers says it is creating a "patchwork of unaccountable provision". | The National Union of Teachers says it is creating a "patchwork of unaccountable provision". |
The ATL teachers' union claimed the increase in academies would prevent "sensible planning" and would open up schools to profit-seeking private firms. | The ATL teachers' union claimed the increase in academies would prevent "sensible planning" and would open up schools to profit-seeking private firms. |
The figures from the Department for Education show that at the beginning of the new term there are 371 secondary schools with academy status, representing 11% of the total. | The figures from the Department for Education show that at the beginning of the new term there are 371 secondary schools with academy status, representing 11% of the total. |
It means that the number of academies has doubled since last year's general election. | It means that the number of academies has doubled since last year's general election. |
'Free from interference' | 'Free from interference' |
Academies have greater control over their budgets and can set their own pay and conditions for staff. | Academies have greater control over their budgets and can set their own pay and conditions for staff. |
There is also an expectation for successful academy schools to set up partnerships with weaker schools. | There is also an expectation for successful academy schools to set up partnerships with weaker schools. |
This latest milestone for the academy programme marks the point at which a majority of academies will have been created by the current coalition government. | This latest milestone for the academy programme marks the point at which a majority of academies will have been created by the current coalition government. |
There were 203 academies at the time of the general election last year - with those created under Labour bringing in an external sponsor and often replacing failing schools. | There were 203 academies at the time of the general election last year - with those created under Labour bringing in an external sponsor and often replacing failing schools. |
A further 68 of these sponsored academies, tackling underachievement, have since been opened. | A further 68 of these sponsored academies, tackling underachievement, have since been opened. |
Mr Gove has promised to accelerate the academy programme - offering a fast-track for high-achieving schools and inviting all schools to apply for academy status. | Mr Gove has promised to accelerate the academy programme - offering a fast-track for high-achieving schools and inviting all schools to apply for academy status. |
The government has argued that giving schools greater autonomy will help to improve standards. | The government has argued that giving schools greater autonomy will help to improve standards. |
"Schools are taking up our offer to become academies because they recognise the huge benefits of being an academy - more autonomy, more power to teachers, and an opportunity to thrive, free from interference from government," said Mr Gove. | "Schools are taking up our offer to become academies because they recognise the huge benefits of being an academy - more autonomy, more power to teachers, and an opportunity to thrive, free from interference from government," said Mr Gove. |
So far 136 schools have converted to academy status - with a further 254 applications in the pipeline. | So far 136 schools have converted to academy status - with a further 254 applications in the pipeline. |
'Thinking twice' | 'Thinking twice' |
NUT general secretary, Christine Blower, said the figures showed schools were "thinking twice" about taking up academy status. | NUT general secretary, Christine Blower, said the figures showed schools were "thinking twice" about taking up academy status. |
"What we need to see for the benefit of all our children's future is a democratically-accountable education system operating within the local authority," she said. | "What we need to see for the benefit of all our children's future is a democratically-accountable education system operating within the local authority," she said. |
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said schools which converted to academies were being motivated by extra funding. | Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said schools which converted to academies were being motivated by extra funding. |
"The clear motivation for academy status is that most schools are being duped into believing that they will get extra money at a time when schools and education are facing savage cuts." | "The clear motivation for academy status is that most schools are being duped into believing that they will get extra money at a time when schools and education are facing savage cuts." |
The ATL teachers' union attacked the expansion of academies. | The ATL teachers' union attacked the expansion of academies. |
"The actions of a small minority of schools don't make the policy right," said deputy general secretary Martin Johnson. | "The actions of a small minority of schools don't make the policy right," said deputy general secretary Martin Johnson. |
"The academies policy leads to anarchy, breaking up the local education system, preventing sensible and efficient planning, and opening up free-floating schools to private firms with profit motives." | "The academies policy leads to anarchy, breaking up the local education system, preventing sensible and efficient planning, and opening up free-floating schools to private firms with profit motives." |