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Labour calls for radical rethink of forced academisation of all primary and secondary schools

Speaking at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers today in Liverpool Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, will call on the Government to radically rethink their plans to force all primary and secondary schools in England to become academies. 

Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, will say:

“Tory Ministers are increasingly isolated on this issue and need to radically rethink their plans to force all primary and secondary schools in England to become academies. This costly, top-down re-organisation of our schools system is opposed by local government leaders including senior Conservative Councillors, the National Governors Association, parents, school leaders and teachers. Senior Tory MPs are also now raising concerns about the scheme. 

“Schools are facing budget cuts, a teacher shortage crisis and the attainment gap is now wider than when David Cameron came to office yet this measure will do nothing to tackle these issues. We know this is going to cost over £1 billion.

“Schools that want to can already convert to become an academy and only last month Ministers’ strengthened their powers to tackle failing schools. This plan isn’t about school improvement or autonomy - it’s a forced, ideology that’s not necessary.”