Posted on Monday 31st Oct 2016
The government is dropping a bill to convert all schools to academies, announced in the Queen's speech.
The Education Bill was based on a white paper which initially suggested all schools in England would be compelled to become academies.
But the element of compulsion was dropped after protests from councils and, instead, the bill encouraged schools to convert.
Education Secretary Justine Greening said no new legislation was required.
In a written Parliamentary statement Ms Greening said: "Our ambition remains that all schools should benefit from the freedom and autonomy that academy status brings. Our focus, however, is on building capacity in the system and encouraging schools to convert voluntarily.
"No changes to legislation are required for these purposes and therefore we do not require wider education legislation in this session to make progress on our ambitious education agenda."
The element of compulsion was dropped by the government after protests from many councils, including the mainly Conservative members of the County Council Network, who were opposed to forcing high-performing schools in their areas to convert.
Academies are independently run - but state-funded - schools, overseen by a not-for-profit business, known as an academy trust. They are often part of a chain.
The original plans would have required all schools to convert to academy status, or have plans to do so, by 2022.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
20/11/24Medway education leader and head of Rivermead Inclusive Trust receives OBE from Prince William
An education boss, who left school without any basic qualifications and worked as a hospital cleaner to fund her teacher training, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Tina Lovey, who rose through the ranks and is now the boss of a thriving academy trust with schools across Medway, was awarded an OBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle.
19/11/24Special Educational Needs system 'has burst'
Children with complex needs are being sent to private schools up to 200 miles away from home because there is not enough capacity in the state system, a BBC investigation has found. Councils struggling to cope with an unprecedented number of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are increasingly reliant upon private providers. Headteachers say funding from government has not kept pace with soaring demand, meaning both mainstream and special schools are struggling to cope.
13/11/24‘Excessive’ 20 hours mentor training requirement scrapped
The government will also launch a new re-accreditation round for initial teacher training providers in spring
12/11/24Majority of parents not deterred by fines for term-time family holidays – survey
The Government should review the marketing and pricing of ‘rip-off’ family holidays, according to Parentkind charity.
11/11/24Anti-Bullying Week 2024: Choose Respect
Anti-Bullying Week 2024 will take place from Monday 11th - Friday 15th November, with the theme: Choose Respect.