Some outstanding local authority schools could still be forced to convert into academies, despite the Government back-tracking on the proposal last week.

In a statement to MPs yesterday, Nicky Morgan warned that good and outstanding schools could be deemed ‘unviable’.

She said: ‘Because of the pace of academisation in some areas it will become increasingly difficult for local authorities to offer schools the necessary support.

‘We will therefore seek provisions to convert schools in the lowest performing and unviable local authorities to academy status.

‘In some circumstances that might involve the conversion of good and outstanding schools when they have not chosen to do so themselves. We will consult on these arrangements, including the thresholds for performance and unviability.'

Ms Morgan added that those who ‘took to the airwaves this weekend to crow about a victory in their battle against raising standards will find themselves sorely disappointed’.