Move for all schools to be academies

All schools in Bath and North East Somerset could be pushed towards becoming academies. The politician in charge of education in the area said academies were a “recipe for long-term disaster” but that keeping them in council hands was becoming too expensive. Academies, established in 2000, receive their funding directly from the Department for Education. They are run by charitable trusts and are not under local authority control, which gives them more power. Supporters say changing to the new system drives up standards. But research published by the Local Government Association this week suggested failing schools did better when in council hands. In Bath and North East Somerset, 70 per cent of schools will be academies by September this year. A council report suggested changing local policy to “encourage” all schools to become academies. “It will become increasingly difficult for the local authority to provide or commission the level of quality and range of school support that could be provided within a multi academy trust,” the report said. Nine schools have said they do not want to leave council hands and become academies. Councillors at the Children and Young People Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, where the report was recently presented, registered their opposition. Councillor Liz Hardman said: “I’m extremely disappointed in the local authority. I think our authority should work harder, and stand up for these schools, which want to be part of the local authority family.” Paul May, cabinet member for children and young people said: “The move in education towards multi academy trusts I think is a recipe for long-term disaster.” He said he would “take their recommendation into consideration” before a final decision is made.