Are We About to See a U-Turn on Plans to Force Schools to Become Academies?

Nicky Morgan the Education Secretary has repeatedly indicated that there will be no U-turn on the Conservative government’s policy to turn every state school into an academy within six years. However, the tide does seem to be turning and there are a number of indications that the policy may not go ahead quite as planned.

Many Tories do not agree with the plans

Since the plans for the academisation of schools were announced, there has been a gradual increase in Conservative opposition to the plans. First it was amongst grassroots Tories and Conservative councillors. Then Tory MPs began to speak out, not briefing journalists anonymously but by criticising the policy in the House of Commons, a sure sign of the strength of feeling amongst some members of the House. Ministers seem to be losing the argument within their own party but only time will tell whether the opposition that we have now will become a few blown Conservative Party rebellion.

The protests against are making a significant impact

There are significant protests against the academisation of schools across the UK, with many teachers, parents, counsellors and members of the general public being concerned about he plans. Although Tories generally back the idea of academies and the creation of more academies, many are showing signs of concern as to the details of the policies such as why good schools have to be forced to convert to the proposed timescale.

One other factor is the role of school governors. Many grassroots Tories are worried that the proposed changes could put an end to the need for parent governors.

There are indications of a U-turn

There are rumours that Nicky Morgan could be planning a dramatic U-turn over the academisation of schools thanks to the growing opposition within her party. It is rumoured that she is considering allowing the best performing councils to run their own academy chains. The original plan was for 18,600 state schools to become academies within six years, with those who have not been converted having plans in place to do so by 2022.

However, with a majority of just 17 in the House of Commons and a rebel group of MPs who oppose the academisation of schools numbering approximately 40, it’s likely that the policy will have to be watered down in some way. This of course will be a tough blow for Nicky Morgan the Education Secretary who has insisted on numerous occasions that there will be no U-turn in the plans.

The Committee of Conservative backbenchers has requested that Nicky Morgan appear before them before the Queen’s speech on 18 May. The chairman of the committee, Graham Brady told the Independent:

“Good academies can bring enormous benefits and it is right that we should be helping those that want to covert to do so. But I hope the white paper will be adapted to reflect the need to support and ease the process, rather than impose the change in areas where schools are already performing very well.”

The policy has been condemned by the Labour Party’s leader Jeremy Corbyn, at Prime Minister’s Questions saying: "Teachers don't want it. Parents don't want it. Governors don't want it. Head teachers don't want it. Even his own MPs and councillors don't want it.”

I’d love to hear your view on the government’s plans to turn all state schools into academies. Is it a good idea or a badly thought out plan? And will it eventually happen?