UNISON has responded to the announcement that the government is to force more schools in England to become academies as contrary to its stated aims on localism.
The Education and Adoption Bill will see the government force up to a 1,000 more schools into the hands of academy sponsors.
The bill will also get rid of the current requirement for consultation with parents and local communities on conversion to an academy and will deny people the right to challenge forced academisation of schools by legal means.
UNISON’s head of education and childrens’ services, Jon Richards, said: “Ministers make much of devolution and localism, but getting rid of consultation with parents will deny local people the chance to have their say on issues of huge significance for their local community.
“The Education Select Committee and a commission into academies have already recognised that converting a school into an academy doesn’t necessarily improve it.
“The government’s proposal to turn failing schools into academies is no silver bullet. It does little to address the real problems facing schools – tightening budgets, crumbling buildings and a huge drop in morale. And does nothing to deal with failing academies and free schools.”