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Labour government 'would let academies revert to state'

Party confirms it would permit schools to return to council control

A Labour government will allow academies to be returned to council control and end the community school building ban that has sparked a places crisis, the Star can reveal.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg made the commitments at a national conference of school governors in Liverpool on Saturday.

A spokesman for Mr Twigg confirmed that the policy had the backing of party leader Ed Miliband.

The spokesman told the Morning Star: "School governing bodies should have the flexibility, both to convert to acadmies but also then to convert back to local authority-maintained status if they wish to.

"We have also said that good local authorities should be able to set up new maintained schools, particularly when there's such a huge shortage of school places.

"Why should they have to go and find a free school or academy sponsor if there's this immediate shortage?"

The spokesman confirmed it was "agreed policy" and revealed former education secretary David Blunkett MP is helping to draw up more detailed plans.

Labour's pledge comes just weeks after the National Union of Teachers (NUT) launched a campaign to end England's school places shortage.

Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove has banned councils from opening new community schools to boost his academy and free school project.

The NUT has warned that policy could leave one in four children in London without a school place by 2016 and welcomed Mr Twigg's stance.

General secretary Christine Blower said: "Children have an absolute right to an education and not in oversized classes, inappropriate buildings or on a shift basis.

"To ensure every child gets a decent education school place planning needs to be returned to safe hands.

"It is local authorities who have the knowledge of what is needed and where in local communities, not the Secretary of State."

Fears have been raised that Mr Gove's assault on community schools will be difficult to reverse if it continues until the next election.

Alasdair Smith of the Anti-Academies Alliance praised Mr Twigg's "common-sense approach as good news for parents, pupils, teachers and taxpayers alike."

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