FIGUREHEADS of Leigh have launched a campaign against the government's plans to force all schools in the UK to become academies by 2022.

The government announced its forced ‘acadamisation’ of schools plan in March.

MP for Leigh Andy Burnham and Cllr Jo Platt, cabinet member for children’s services at Wigan Council, have criticised the controversial move, saying it has ‘nothing to do education standards', and are appealing for 'all educators across the borough' to join their campaign opposing the impending changes.

In a joint statement they said: “What will forcing these 'good' or 'outstanding' schools to acadamise actually do to improve the experience and outcomes for children and families?

“We have a very proud track record of educational excellence in Wigan Borough.

“Our primary school position is ranked third in the north west so how will forcing our schools to acadamise improve this position?"

Across the borough 94 per cent of primary schools have been classed as 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted, with 74 per cent of secondary schools being 'good' or 'outstanding'.

They added: “There is very little evidence that pupils eligible for free school meals, or with low prior ability, made more progress in academies than they would have done in similar maintained schools.

“We are seeking answers to these important challenges from the education secretary and the chancellor of the exchequer, who announced fundamental changes to the education system in this country.

“What will forcing our schools to acadamise do to help children and families with special and complex needs to have choice and access to the right support?

“How will forcing our schools to acadamise ensure highly qualified teachers are trained and retained in our current teacher shortage crisis?

“What is the forced acadamisation process going to do to give clear guidance to teachers, students, parents and the future employers of our young people?

“We are calling on all educators across the borough to join our campaign opposing these changes.

An academy is an independent state-funded school. There are currently more than 5,000 of them in the UK, with the majority of them being high schools.