Mayor Dave Welcomes Government U-Turn over 'Dogmatic' Academisation-by-Force

Mayor Dave Hodgson has welcomed the announcement of the Government's u-turn on forcing all schools to become academies by law as the 'only logical course of action' it could take on its 'misguided, dogmatic plan.'

Commenting, Mayor Dave said: "I welcome the Government's u-turn on forcing all schools to become academies against their wishes, as it was the only logical course of action it could take.'

"The situation here in Bedford Borough, where 96% of local authority schools are rated good or outstanding, highlighted what a misguided, dogmatic plan this was. Schools can already convert to academy status if they wish; this was not about standards, but ideology.'

"Rather than forcing a disruptive change on good and outstanding schools which didn't want it, the government should now devote its energies to supporting schools of all types to drive up standards on behalf of children and young people."