Teachers unimpressed by Tories' plans for state-funded education

Ministers’ plans to open free schools and extend the academies programme are unlikely to boost pupils’ achievement, a survey of teachers suggests.

A poll of almost 2,000 teachers, published today, reveals that more than eight in 10 of those working in the state sector believe schools should be run by councils.

Only one in six (16.2 per cent) state teachers thinks parents should be allowed to run state-funded schools, while 11.5 per cent think private companies should be allowed to take charge.

The survey, by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), found that more than a third (34.4 per cent) of state teachers think the Government’s academy programme will have “no impact” on attainment at their school, with a further 45.9 per cent saying it is “unlikely” to make a difference.

In addition, more than three in 10 (31.8 per cent) said the free schools initiative would have “no impact” on achievement, with a further 44.1 per cent saying attainment was “unlikely” to rise.

Free schools – a key plank of the Tories’ education reforms – are not-for-profit schools set up by parents, teachers and other groups, using public funding.

So far, more than 700 groups have expressed an interest, but only 16 have got to the stage of putting a full plan together.

Academies were originally set up under Tony Blair’s Labour Government, and the coalition Government announced plans to extend the scheme shortly after the election.

Education Secretary Michael Gove wrote to every primary, secondary and special school in England inviting them to apply for academy freedoms. In total, as of last month, 142 had been given the go-ahead to convert.

The poll published today found that in both the private and state sectors, teachers were sceptical about the benefits of both schemes.

One primary school leader told researchers: “I am concerned that higher funding paid to academies will reduce funding available for state schools. I am also concerned about the long-term potential costs and damage to pupils if the move to an academy is not successful – we are risking children’s education and you don’t get a second chance to go through primary school.”

Another primary school support staff member said: “I am worried that academy schools will create a two-tier system, where they will choose not to have children with special needs and cream off all the talented children so the schools that are not academies will struggle even more.”

The poll found almost seven in 10 (68.3 per cent) state school teachers said they would be unhappy working in a free school run by parents.

A similar proportion (71.8 per cent) did not think state-funded schools should be allowed to run on a for-profit basis.

ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said teachers were “rightly unconvinced” that academies or free schools would improve education. “They are tired of change for the sake of change in education,” she said.

“The message coming across loud and clear from ATL members is stop meddling, treat all schools equally and give them all the support they need to get on with the job of teaching. Instead of repeating the mistakes of the previous government and its obsession with school types, this Government should listen to education staff more and interfere less.”

n The poll questioned 1,856 school staff working in state and private schools in England.