The Education Secretary Michael Gove had argued that the coalition government needed to rush through the academies legislation through parliament as more than 1,000 schools had applied to become academies. However, it has emerged that only 153 schools have applied to do so.
The Deparment of Education has published the list of "outstanding schools" that have applied to become academies - these include 20 grammar schools, 45 primary schools and some federations that involve both primary and secondary schools. According to the legislation, only those schools that have been rated outstanding by Ofsted are being fast tracked for academy status.
Academies get more freedom in setting their own curriculum and also have more independence in setting staff pay and budgets. It is very likely now that no academies would be in place before the autumn academic terms contrary to claims made by the Education Secretary.
The shadow education secretary, Ed Balls called for an explanation from Mr. Gove as to why "he rushed this bill and misleadingly claimed that more than 1,000 schools have applied."
“One has to question why the Secretary of State felt the need to exaggerate and mislead the public in this way," said Christine Bower, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers.
Michael Gove was unapologetic for rushing the bill through Parliament as he addressed MPs last Wednesday claiming that "these children have only got one chance and we have got to get on with it in a way which will provide them with a better life.”
