Taxpayers will be forced to fork out £320million to convert all schools into academies
Plus councils will lose £80million a year as academies receive 80 per cent business rates relief
TAXPAYERS will be forced to fork out £320million in order to convert all schools into academies, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
In yet another blow to the government's schools policy, the LGA, which represents councils across England, also revealed councils would suffer an additional loss of £80million every year in business rates income as academies receive an 80 per cent business rates relief.
The Government has not outlined how it wants to see all schools convert to academy status.
But the “sponsored” method of multi-Academy Trusts, which is thought to be the preferred model, could leave councils with up to a £320million bill.
Under this method, an organisation or person acts as a sponsor for a school, with the approval from the Department of Education.
While if schools were to use the “converter” method to become academies, in which they operate as a stand-alone organisation with greater autonomy, the cost to councils could be £120million.
Theresa May's grammar schools plan was also panned this week by ex-education minister David Laws.
The Education Policy Institute chairman said non-selective schools "are much better than grammars at serving children from all backgrounds."
Commenting on the latest cost prediction of academy schools, the LGA's Richard Watts said: "If all schools are encouraged to become academies at some point, this will have significant financial implications for councils.
"We have remained strong in our opposition to all forced academisation, and this opposition has been echoed by MPs, teachers and parents.
Recent evidence from Ofsted has also proved that forcing a school to become an academy doesn't in itself lead to better exam results.
“The money that councils are predicted to lose could be better spent on recruiting, training and keeping excellent teachers, and making sure children are safe and have the equipment and support they need, in buildings that are fit for purpose."