Government drops plans to convert all schools in England to academies after fierce backlash

The Government has abandoned plans to force all schools in England to become academies after a negative backlash.

In this year’s budget, the Government announced plans to force 17,000 schools in England to convert to academy status by 2022.

Unions, as well as MPs from both sides, had voiced their concerns about these plans, arguing that it was a move towards the privatisation of schools.

If Education Secretary Nicky Morgan had pushed ahead with her plans, she could have faced a humiliating defeat and a potential revolt from backbench MPs

Making the announcement today, Mrs Morgan said the government hoped that a large number of schools would still choose to convert to academies.

She said: “Making every school an academy is the best way to ensure every child, regardless of birth or background, has access to a world-class education.

“I am today reaffirming our determination to see all schools become academies. However, having listened to the feedback from Parliamentary colleagues and the education sector we will now change the path to reaching that goal.

“By focusing our efforts on those schools most at risk of failing young people, and encouraging good and outstanding schools to seize the opportunities of conversion, we will ensure the continued growth of the academy programme, empowering frontline heads and school leads and transforming even more children’s education.”

The Department for Education said ministers had listened to feedback from MPs, teachers, school leaders, and parents since publishing the proposals.

Academies are independent, state-funded schools which receive funding directly from the government rather than a local authority.

This means they come under direct Government control, rather than answering to local education authorities.

Two-thirds of secondary schools have already converted but 15,000 schools do not currently have academy status.