142 schools to become academies next year

London: Over 140 schools are expected to convert to academy status in the coming school year after the government passed a new law to allow every school in England to opt out of local authority control.

A total of 32 are expected to open as academies this month. It is understood that the majority of those opening are "outstanding" schools, or involved in federations with such schools.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, wrote to every primary, secondary and special school in May inviting them to apply for academy status while the coalition government moved swiftly to pass a new law to allow schools to take up the offer.

Fast-tracked legislation

The speed at which the legislation moved through parliament led to accusations that ministers rushed the reforms using a timetable usually reserved for emergency laws, such as anti-terror powers.

Official figures from the Department for Education were yesterday expected to show that six weeks after the legislation became law, only 32 schools have completed the process to open as academies this month, with 142 in total expected to convert next year.

More than 2,000 schools have expressed an interest in becoming an academy.

Announcing that every school could apply for the freedoms in May, Gove said academies could become "the norm" in England's education system, adding that he anticipated a high take-up of his offer. He insisted it was down to schools to make the decision.

Schools rated "outstanding" by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) were pre-approved, meaning that those who applied immediately are the most likely to open as academies first.

A spokesman for Gove said yesterday: "This is part of Gove's overall vision that teachers and heads should control schools, not politicians and bureaucrats."

Among the schools which have converted is Durand, Britain's biggest primary, in Brixton, south London.

Jim Davies, chair of governors at Durand primary school, said: "For Durand, gaining academy status gives us freedom to develop and structure education tailored to our intake, supporting each and every child to reach their full potential. The Durand Academy will provide excellence in education for children from one of the most socially disadvantaged areas of the United Kingdom."