A new Bill unveiled in the Queen’s speech today will legislate for the academisation of all maintained schools.
Nicky Morgan seemingly backtracked on plans to force the conversion of all schools earlier this month.
However, Queen Elizabeth II has today announced the Education for All Bill, which will move the country ‘towards a system where all schools are academies,’ according to the background notes.
Schools will be converted to academies in the ‘worst performing local authorities and those that can no longer viably support their remaining schools, so that a new system led by good and outstanding schools can take their place’.
Several MPs and the local government sector have been strongly opposed to the forced academisation of all maintained schools, claiming there was no evidence conversion improved high performing schools.
Concerns have been raised that cuts to school improvement funding could lead to councils becoming 'unviable' by 2020.
Education committee member Ian Mearns told The MJ Ms Morgan’s U-turn was more of a ‘holding operation’ to buy the Government time and ‘diffuse disarray’ on its backbenches.
Education services grant (ESG) is expected to be cut by 81% by 2018/19 but its phasing out was based on the presumption that all maintained schools would become academies by 2022.
County Councils’ Network finance spokesman David Borrow warned the Government would ‘continue to squeeze funding available to councils’ to provide school support services.
He said cutting ESG ‘to a point whereby it’s almost non-existent will stop local authorities supporting their schools and communities’.
Mr Mearns claimed the reduction of ESG could lead to maintained schools falling into the Government’s definition of ‘unviable’ and therefore becoming at risk of academisation even if they are performing well.
He said: ‘It is inevitable all schools will have to convert. This back door academisation is wrong on so many levels.’
Council leaders have opposed forced academisation, believing all schools should have the choice to stay with their council.
Chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) children and young people board Cllr Roy Perry said: 'Hundreds of schools, often in disadvantaged areas, are being turned around thanks to the intervention of local councils, highlighting they should be regarded as education improvement partners rather than as a barrier to change.'
Recent LGA analysis found that 81% of maintained schools were rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted, compared to 73% of academies and 79% of free schools.
Cllr Perry added: 'Schools should not be forced down the academy route unless they make that decision themselves.
'Only a handful of Multi-Academy Trusts currently maintain more than 10 sponsored academies, compared to councils, which maintain large numbers of schools and have significant experience and expertise, so we will be keen to explore how councils will be considered ‘unviable’ to maintain schools.
'Last year, £815 million was spent on the ESG, and we are still seeking clarification on how the £600 million cuts will be achieved, and how quickly, without impacting on welfare and standards.
'The LGA remains keen to work with the Department for Education to ensure all partners are working together to deliver the excellent education that our children deserve, regardless of where they live or the structure of their school.'
