NUT protests against academy plan

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has organised protest rallies in London, Birmingham, Newcastle and other cities to campaign against the government’s plan to force all schools in England to become academies.

The news comes after the government announced it would require all state schools in England to have academy status. However Kevin Courtney of the NUT argued acadamisation was a ‘disaster for education and local democracy’.

A Department for Education (DfE) spokesman said: “Pupils are already benefiting hugely from the academies programme and thanks to our reforms more of them than ever before are going to good or outstanding schools, meaning more parents can access a good school place for their children. The changes we are making will put control back in the hands of teachers and school leaders - those who know their pupils best - making sure every single child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

However, a number of teachers unions including the NUT and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) are opposing the plans.

Courtney said: “Despite there being no evidence that academy status improves education, Nicky Morgan is recklessly ploughing ahead with this policy. Many communities and schools have categorically said they do not want to convert to an academy. In just a few days after the announcement, two petitions to government reached their 100,000 target."