Commenting on the Academies Bill being passed in the Commons last night, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said;

"The Government is undermining proper parliamentary democracy by rushing this legislation through. We have written to all schools who have told us they want to be Academies by September to ask what consultation they have done with parents and other members of the local community. We don't believe that many will have done that sufficiently and this could well create a legal minefield. It would not be reasonable for any school to try to consult during the holidays while staff and parents are away, so few if any will be able to take further steps before September.

“Since before the election, the NUT has warned that a timetable for schools reopening as Academies in September 2010 would be impossible. The schools minister was unable to dispute this last night, proving that the Government’s boasts were entirely empty. In fact, all that the Government’s arrogance has done is provide those in favour of state education a window of opportunity to campaign against conversions wherever such plans are announced.

“The NUT will continue to campaign in September to persuade governing bodies to remain in their local authority family of schools. Where governing bodies consider Academy status, we will of course campaign for a ballot of all parents before the decision is made.”