New academies open

The Department for Education has revealed that 142 schools will become academies over the coming year.

Of these, 32 will open this week, with the remaining schools following later in the year.

"This government believes that teachers and head teachers, not politicians and bureaucrats, should control schools and have more power over how they are run. That's why we are spreading academy freedoms," said education secretary Michael Gove.

Converting to academies will give headteachers more power to tackle disruptive children and reward teachers better, he added.

It was announced that a number of primary schools will become academies for the first time this year.

Speaking earlier this week, Dr Mary Bousted of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said the Academies Bill should have been debated for longer.

The organisation said it is concerned that some schools may not have carried out a proper consultation before applying to become academies.
 



Published On 02/09/2010