Free Schools Policy

Lord Austin of Dudley Excerpts
Monday 21st June 2010

(14 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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My hon. Friend is a former teacher, and a brilliant one at that. We will ensure that all academies continue to abide by the same rules on admissions, hard-to-place children and exclusions that apply to all state schools.

Lord Austin of Dudley Portrait Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab)
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The Secretary of State knows that I have spent the past five years trying to persuade the councils responsible for Dudley school to transform standards by introducing academies and producing a decent bid for Building Schools for the Future. Before the election I was promised that the Department had funds available if the councils were able to produce a decent bid. Does that promise still stand?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I know how passionate the hon. Gentleman, who is the son of a head teacher, is about ensuring that that school moves towards achieving academy status, and he knows how keen I am on academy status. I suggest that he come into the Department, so that we can talk about exactly how we can advance that programme.