LGA responds to official figures showing increase in school places since 2010

Responding to Department for Education figures published today which show the proportion of state-funded schools in England over capacity has fallen, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: 

“Councils have an excellent history of ensuring a sufficient number of good school places are available.

“It is good that school standards are rising but, while there are examples of successful sponsor-led conversions to academy status, the evidence shows that converting to an academy is not always the best solution for a struggling school. 

“As well as improving standards in all schools, councils have an excellent track record in turning around failing schools, with 9 out of 10 council-maintained schools now rated as good or outstanding – compared to 8 out of 10 for academies. 

“This is a demonstrable record that councils are doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring every child has a school place and receives an excellent education.

“The Government should recognise and credit the unique role of councils in school place creation and improvement and should give councils the necessary powers to ensure they continue to play a leading role in providing school places for children.”