Universities are expanding their involvement in the academy programme in England, says the schools secretary.
Universities are expanding their involvement in the academy programme in England, says the schools secretary.
Ed Balls says more than half of universities, 45 out of 88, are to sponsor academies, with a further 20 universities in discussions.
Ed Balls says more than half of universities, 45 out of 88, are to sponsor academies, with a further 20 universities in discussions.
This comes as the government unveils more than 180 new or refurbished schools, including 47 academies.
This comes as the government unveils more than 180 new or refurbished schools, including 47 academies.
University involvement will mean more pupils can go from "underdogs" to undergraduates, said Mr Balls.
University involvement will mean more pupils can go from "underdogs" to undergraduates, said Mr Balls.
The academy programme, which plans to have at least 400 schools, is aimed at raising standards in deprived areas - and Mr Balls says that the involvement of universities is a "natural next step".
The academy programme, which plans to have at least 400 schools, is aimed at raising standards in deprived areas - and Mr Balls says that the involvement of universities is a "natural next step".
Schools opening
Schools opening
"Children of all backgrounds need to be familiar with university not fear it. They need to feel university is for them, so that we ensure they achieve their potential and use their talent," said Mr Balls.
"Children of all backgrounds need to be familiar with university not fear it. They need to feel university is for them, so that we ensure they achieve their potential and use their talent," said Mr Balls.
"Pupils at some of these predecessor schools were too often in the past seen as underdogs - I want them to be undergraduates."
"Pupils at some of these predecessor schools were too often in the past seen as underdogs - I want them to be undergraduates."
The expansion in the number of academies is part of the regeneration of school buildings - with more than 180 newly-built or refurbished schools being opened this term.
The expansion in the number of academies is part of the regeneration of school buildings - with more than 180 newly-built or refurbished schools being opened this term.
This will be highest number of new schools being opened for 30 years, with "classrooms fit for the future", says Mr Balls.
This will be highest number of new schools being opened for 30 years, with "classrooms fit for the future", says Mr Balls.
Ministers will be opening schools across England on Wednesday, including 22 brand new or completely refurbished schools. There will be 47 new academies opened this month, with another four in January, creating a total of 134.
Ministers will be opening schools across England on Wednesday, including 22 brand new or completely refurbished schools. There will be 47 new academies opened this month, with another four in January, creating a total of 134.
The Building Schools for the Future programme, which is re-building and renovating schools in England, promises to deliver more than 50 new schools this year. This is due for completion by 2020, with £21.9bn due to be spent between 2008 and 2011.
The Building Schools for the Future programme, which is re-building and renovating schools in England, promises to deliver more than 50 new schools this year. This is due for completion by 2020, with £21.9bn due to be spent between 2008 and 2011.
Matrix
Matrix
The academy programme is also evolving into more experimental forms, including "all-through" academies which will combine primary and secondary stages in a single institution. There are 19 of these schools created or in the planning stage.
The academy programme is also evolving into more experimental forms, including "all-through" academies which will combine primary and secondary stages in a single institution. There are 19 of these schools created or in the planning stage.
There is also a "matrix" structure for an academy, in which a group of primary schools feed into a secondary school, creating an "all-through experience" across a wider geographical area.
There is also a "matrix" structure for an academy, in which a group of primary schools feed into a secondary school, creating an "all-through experience" across a wider geographical area.
"As every teacher, child and parent knows, going to school in a brand new building which is designed for the 21st century can make all the difference," said Mr Balls.
"As every teacher, child and parent knows, going to school in a brand new building which is designed for the 21st century can make all the difference," said Mr Balls.
"We are now turning the corner on decades of under-investment and its children and young people who are seeing the benefits."
"We are now turning the corner on decades of under-investment and its children and young people who are seeing the benefits."
The Conservatives have highlighted delays in the Building Schools for the Future project, saying that it has "fallen hugely behind schedule" since it was announced in 2004.
The Conservatives have highlighted delays in the Building Schools for the Future project, saying that it has "fallen hugely behind schedule" since it was announced in 2004.
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