Upcoming Events :
Housing Seminar: Partnerships with the Public Sector – Avoiding the pitfalls
Thu 31 May 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
Academies Bill backed by MPs
Tue 27 Jul 2010
The government's Academies Bill has won the backing of MPs in a parliamentary vote.
A total of 317 voted in favour of the legislation, while 225 opposed it, thereby giving the coalition a majority of 92.
The bill will now go before the House of Lords, which means it could conceivably become law ahead of the new school year in September.
If the measures are implemented, schools will be allowed to apply for academy status and opt out of local authority control.
However, the Academies Bill has been met with a mixed response from the education sector, with groups such as the National Union of Teachers coming out against the proposals.
Six Liberal Democrat MPs also opposed the bill - the biggest backbench rebellion since the coalition was formed in May this year.
Education secretary Michael Gove recently insisted that turning more schools into academies will help to boost the standard of education across England.
Andrea Squires, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "The progress of this Bill has been swift and not without controversy, but its successful passage through the Commons will be a relief to many schools, who see this as an opportunity to take control of their own destiny."
