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| Ministers could ease way for councils to run academies | Ministers could ease way for councils to run academies |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| In an attempt to avert a backbench rebellion, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has signalled she will consider making it easier for councils to form their own multi-academy trusts. | |
| Under draft plans published last month, all England's state schools must become academies, run by trusts rather than councils, by 2022. | Under draft plans published last month, all England's state schools must become academies, run by trusts rather than councils, by 2022. |
| Councils would have to set up non-profit companies to become trusts. | Councils would have to set up non-profit companies to become trusts. |
| But there are hints this requirement could be waived. | But there are hints this requirement could be waived. |
| Tough questions | Tough questions |
| On Sunday, a group representing 37 largely Conservative local authorities warned the plan for all state schools in England to leave the oversight of councils by 2022 would not raise school standards. | On Sunday, a group representing 37 largely Conservative local authorities warned the plan for all state schools in England to leave the oversight of councils by 2022 would not raise school standards. |
| Later on Monday, Mrs Morgan will face further questioning on the issue at Education Questions in the House of Commons. | Later on Monday, Mrs Morgan will face further questioning on the issue at Education Questions in the House of Commons. |
| And on Wednesday she is due to give evidence to MPs on the Education Select Committee. | And on Wednesday she is due to give evidence to MPs on the Education Select Committee. |
| In addition, Conservative MPs have demanded Ms Morgan come and explain herself at a meeting of the backbench 1922 committee. | In addition, Conservative MPs have demanded Ms Morgan come and explain herself at a meeting of the backbench 1922 committee. |
| Now, a government source has said the decision over whether councils wishing to from their own multi-academy trusts would be required to set up a non-profit "social enterprise" has not yet been made. But the government will not alter its position on the deadline of 2022 for all schools to become academies. | Now, a government source has said the decision over whether councils wishing to from their own multi-academy trusts would be required to set up a non-profit "social enterprise" has not yet been made. But the government will not alter its position on the deadline of 2022 for all schools to become academies. |
| What does it mean to be an academy school? | What does it mean to be an academy school? |
| The Local Government Association said changing the contracts of schools to convert them into academies would still cost "millions". | The Local Government Association said changing the contracts of schools to convert them into academies would still cost "millions". |
| And Labour said having councils running chains would still amount to "costly upheaval for thousands of outstanding schools". | And Labour said having councils running chains would still amount to "costly upheaval for thousands of outstanding schools". |
| Shadow education secretary Lucy Powell said requiring all schools in England to become academies would be a "costly, unnecessary exercise with no evidence that standards will improve". | Shadow education secretary Lucy Powell said requiring all schools in England to become academies would be a "costly, unnecessary exercise with no evidence that standards will improve". |
| And a source close to Ms Powell added making it easier for councils to form their own multi-academy trusts would be "neither a U-turn, or sufficient". | And a source close to Ms Powell added making it easier for councils to form their own multi-academy trusts would be "neither a U-turn, or sufficient". |
| The Department for Education said converting England's schools into academies would put control of children's education in the hands of teachers and school leaders "who know their pupils best". | |
| "We want to work constructively with the sector to deliver this and ensure standards continue to rise," said a DfE spokesman. |