Many of the Coalition’s education ideas are good, but I believe governors will feel uneasy about the Academies Bill. Your report states that 1,114 schools have expressed an interest in switching to academy status, including 273 primaries. I wonder how many will retain that interest when the small print is finalised. The supposed increase in funding of 10 to 12 per cent will not match the economies of scale found in the local authority central provision of a range of vital services such as premises, insurance, training, special educational needs support and so on.

In my view, the time, costs and administrative burden of going it alone will offset any supposed benefits.Stephen Booth, Vice-chair, Lancashire Schools Forum, (writing in a personal capacity).