Squeeze on non-academy schools
In some counties, the percentage of academies is more than 50 per cent. How does this affect schools still run by local authorities?
Christine Alsford on academies
Our education correspondent Christine Alsford looks at the details behind the rise in the number of academies.
New academies in the South
Across the country, more than 200 struggling schools are becoming academies. But are there any new academies coming to your area?
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Squeeze on non-academy schools
by Christine Alsford
In some counties, the percentage of academies is more than 50 per cent. How does this affect schools still run by local authorities?
Read the full storyAdvertisement
Christine Alsford on academies
by Christine Alsford
Our education correspondent Christine Alsford looks at the details behind the rise in the number of academies.
Read the full storyEast Sussex County Council responds to Gove's school standards criticism
Education Secretary Michael Gove has criticised school standards in East Sussex and says more there need to be turned into academies. But East Sussex County Council says his comments are unfounded and have challenged him to meet them face-to-face. The local authority's statement is below.
“We continue to be puzzled by this inaccurate criticism of our attitude to academy status and are surprised the Secretary of State continues to make it. We would welcome the opportunity to give Mr Gove an up-to-date briefing in person so that he can understand the position in East Sussexbetter. Almost half of our secondary schools (11 out of 26) are now academies, and we are co-sponsors of three secondary academies in Hastings and Eastbourne.
– Cllr Nick Bennett, Lead Member for Learning & School Effectiveness, East Sussex County CouncilAlso, last year, together with the Department for Education, we brokered sponsors for four primary academies. In addition to this we have been in close dialogue with Govt officials, and a number of potential sponsors, about a number of under-performing schools and academy status. So it is simply not accurate for the Govt to suggest we are resistant to schools becoming academies.”
Michael Gove's drive to improve standards
by Christine AlsfordThe Education Secretary Michael Gove spoke exclusively to our Social Affairs Correspondent Christine Alsford about academies. The Government's academy programme initially targeted successful schools - but now those failing to meet government targets are often becoming academies too.
The academy effect
A year ago Heyworth Primary School in Hayward's Heath in West Sussex was ordered to become an academy. A local secondary school was brought in to help as a sponsor. A year on - exam results are up and applications for the school have increased by more than 30 per cent.
Our social affairs correspondent Christine Alsford went to visit. She spoke to Steve Davis, the headteacher of the newly named Warden Park Primary Academy, the chief executive of the sponsoring Warden Park Academy Trust, Steve Johnson - and the proud pupils.
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New academies in the South
Across the country, more than 200 struggling schools are becoming academies. But are there any new academies coming to your area?
Read the full storyGove defends plans for more academies
by Tom SavvidesThe Education Secretary defends his plans for more academies as he visits Bexhill High in Sussex. Tom Savvides talks to Michael Gove MP, Principal Mike Conn, Philipa Coughlan from Unite and Cllr Rosalyn St Pierre.
Are our schools being bullied?
Education Secretary Michael Gove today opened the latest school in the South East to become an academy. But there are allegations that he's 'bullying' other schools to follow suit. Mr Gove opened the £38m conversion of Bexhill High. More later.
What does future hold for underperforming schools?
VIDEO: The Education Secretary Michael Gove has taken the highly unusual step of writing to local MPs, asking for their help to bring pressure to bear to turn several schools in East Sussex into academies. Fred links to Christine Alsford in the newsroom.