Number of Yorkshire academies open reaches three figures

More than two-thirds of these are existing schools which have opted out of council control to receive funding direct from the Department for Education.

There are 72 “converter academies” in the region and another 28 which have been set up under the original academy system.

The new Yorkshire figure was published as the Tories announced that nationally there are now more than 1,300 academies teaching more than 1.2 million pupils.

Academies were set up under the last Labour government 10 years ago as a way of raising standards in deprived inner-city areas. Originally known as city academies, new independently run but state-funded schools were set up to replace struggling secondary schools. They were given the freedom to set their own curriculum, admissions and employment arrangements and were based in a new building backed by a sponsor – normally a business, charity or faith group.

Since taking office the coalition has invited existing schools to apply for academy freedoms resulting in a rapid expansion in the numbers which now exist. The coalition’s academy programme does not involve schools closing or new builds.

There are now more than 1,300 academies open in England, according to the latest figures. Of these, 1,031 are schools which have chosen to convert to become an academy.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “One million children are now educated in academies.

“They benefit from longer school days, smaller class sizes, better- paid teachers, more personalised learning, improved discipline and higher standards all round.”

Free schools which have been started by parents, teachers or community groups under the Government’s education reforms are also being run like academies – independent from council control.

There are three free schools open in the region on top of the 100 academies.