UK school leaders oppose civil servant control of academies

School leaders are warning that government reforms could harm academies by placing them under the control of civil servants. Michael Gosling, CEO of the Trinity Multi-Academy Trust, expressed concerns about the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. He believes the proposed changes will limit the independence of academies, potentially lowering standards for high-performing pupils. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to give local authorities more power over school admissions and scrap automatic conversions of failing schools into academies. Critics, including former Education Secretary Michael Gove, have voiced their opposition to these plans. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson countered that many academies outside London are not performing well and emphasized the need for reform. Gosling argued that the bill would take away the freedoms that enable successful trusts to improve struggling schools quickly. He noted that many students enter their schools with low literacy and numeracy skills and benefit from tailored programs. The reforms would also require academies to follow a national curriculum, which some leaders believe may not fit the needs of their students. Concerns over the bill intensified after Amanda Spielman, a former head of Ofsted, criticized Phillipson's approach. She urged her to reconsider the reforms to protect children’s education. While some leaders defend the government's proposals, claiming the backlash is overstated, others remain worried. They argue that the changes could prioritize unions and adults over the interests of students. Members of Parliament have raised similar concerns, accusing the bill of ignoring the achievements made in education over the past two decades. They fear it may undermine the ability of academies to boost educational opportunities, particularly in disadvantaged areas.