West Sussex County Council has added its voice to the growing opposition against government plans to convert all schools into academies.

Leader of the council, Louise Goldsmith, has warned that the plans will make it harder for all councils to fulfil their statutory duties to provide enough school places and protect vulnerable children.

In a letter to the education secretary, Ms Goldsmith said: 'Other concerns were raised about the council’s ability to fulfil current and residual statutory responsibilities, financial efficiency and the possibility of a very bureaucratic system being imposed.

'Above all else there was a sense that good outcomes for children and young people were not driving the proposed reforms – especially for the most vulnerable children.'

She added that 82% of the county schools were currently rated good or outstanding, so there was no real need to force change.

The Local Government Association has also warned the plans 'defied reason' as there is no evidence that schools performed better in the hands of academies.