A number of peoplke have contacted me regarding the Government's proposal to convert all schools to academies.

I am proud that we have a number of excellent academies across Broxtowe, including George Spencer in Stapleford and Chetwynd Primary Academy in Toton, which have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Good’ by Ofsted respectively.

 Over the last five years academy trusts have given school leaders the autonomy and accountability they need to drive improvement in the education system. With the shift to an academy system, it is teachers that will be given more control over budgets and pay, cutting down bureaucracy and making leaders directly accountable for their decisions. I am of the belief that academies deliver greater accountability and effectiveness.

 he evidence shows the positive effects academies can have. Primary academies which have been open for two years, improve their results by 10% on average, with secondary academies performing 7.2% higher than similar non-academies. By creating an academy-based education system the Government will be putting power back into the hands of teachers, who I’m sure you will agree, know best how to manage a school.

 Nonetheless, since launching its proposals the Government has listened to feedback from MPs, teachers, school leaders and parents. As a result of these conversations, the Government has decided that it is not necessary to bring legislation to bring about blanket conversion of all schools to achieve this goal. Instead it will focus its efforts on those schools most at risk of failing young people, and continue to encourage 'good' and 'outstanding' schools to seize the opportunities of conversion.