Daily Mail

Academy plan for schools ‘watered down’

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NO ‘coasting’ schools have been forced to become academies, despite a Tory manifesto pledge two years ago, figures reveal.

In the run-up to the 2015 election, the Conservati­ves promised to target every school not considered to be pushing its pupils hard enough. But new data released under the Freedom of Informatio­n Act suggests none has become an academy as a result.

The Department for Education said forced academisat­ion was only ever intended for ‘a small minority of cases’.

Experts said the data may indicate a watering down of the policy following fierce opposition from unions and Left-wing activists.

The Times Educationa­l Supplement found that of the 756 schools and academies branded as ‘coasting’, 51 per cent were told no further action was needed, and 49 per cent were told they needed extra support.

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