Labour has been forced into yet another embarrassing U-turn after uproar from Conservative MPs and a backlash from school leaders over its controversial education reforms.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed yesterday that ministers have amended their own flagship Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, following fierce criticism that it could restrict the freedoms of academy schools.
The Bill, introduced in December, aimed to roll out free breakfast clubs and scrutinise home-schooling requests. But its proposed changes to academies—stripping them of their independence to set pay and hire unqualified expert teachers—sparked fury from critics who branded it an “attack on aspiration.”
CONSERVATIVE BACKLASH FORCES CLIMBDOWN
Starmer was grilled in Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused him of “attacking excellence” and putting trade unions before children.
“This Bill denies children the guarantee that their failing schools will be turned into a better academy,” she said.
“It is an attack on excellence. It is an attack on higher standards. It is an attack on aspiration. This Bill is the worst of socialism.”
Starmer tried to defend his position, telling Badenoch to “hop off social media” and pointing out that an amendment had already been tabled. However, Conservative MPs were quick to highlight the Government’s blunder.
Shadow Schools Minister Neil O’Brien called it “half a U-turn,” saying: “Starmer said he would amend the Schools Bill. Obviously not great to be having to amend his OWN Bill just weeks after introducing it… And it’s only half a U-turn: the pay clause hasn’t been dropped and tweaks announced won’t solve problems.”
ACADEMY LEADERS FIGHT BACK
Academy heads were outraged by Labour’s proposed changes, warning they could cripple their ability to recruit top talent and provide tailored curriculums that have driven up standards.
Sir Dan Moynihan, CEO of the top-performing Harris Federation, said:
“I have seen no evidence to suggest that academy freedoms are creating an issue anywhere. Why are we doing this?”
Academy trusts have long benefited from the ability to set their own pay and curriculum structures—something Labour’s original Bill threatened to remove.
The proposed amendment will clarify that no academy teacher will see their pay reduced under the new system, but schools will still face restrictions.
‘WE NEED FLEXIBILITY IN SCHOOLS’
Labour’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has been forced to clarify the Bill, insisting there will be “a floor and no ceiling” on teacher pay.
However, under the planned changes, academies would lose the ability to recruit industry professionals without formal teaching qualifications—something critics argue is vital for subjects such as PE and science.
Former Olympians and top medical professionals could be prevented from bringing real-world expertise into classrooms.
Badenoch slammed the proposals, stating:
“The removal of academies’ right to recruit experts without qualifications implies that doctors are not sufficiently qualified to teach biology, that Olympic medallists cannot teach PE.”
‘ATTACK ON EXCELLENCE’
Labour’s plans also include scrapping the current requirement for failing state schools to be turned into academies under strong leadership, and giving local councils greater control over school admissions.
Critics argue that removing the autonomy of academies undermines their success and hands power back to bureaucrats.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, admitted the education sector was left “surprised” by Labour’s sudden proposals, adding:
“Nobody got to see the schools bit until it was published.”
WHAT NEXT?
With concerns mounting over Labour’s competence in handling education policy, the question remains—is this just the first of many U-turns to come?
Stay tuned for more updates as the debate continues.
Mai Photo: Prime Minister Keir Starmer during PMQs. Credit: ©House of Commons. Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) license
