Schools that are still maintained by local authorities receive better Ofsted outcomes than schools that have become academies, according to new research commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA).
As of January 2023, 93% of council-maintained schools were rated outstanding or good, compared to 87% of schools that were inspected after becoming academies, the report found.
Of schools that had an outstanding grade in 2018, 72% of council-maintained schools still had the top rating in 2023, compared to 60% of schools that had become academies and since been reinspected.
The LGA said the findings were evidence that councils should be given powers to open new maintained schools, something they have not been able to do since 2012.
Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, said the research was a reminder of the ‘superb performance’ of council-maintained schools.
Cllr Gittins said: ‘Academisation can be the right choice and a good choice for some schools, and we fully recognise the positive progress schools that became academies have made.
‘Councils want to ensure that every child gets the very best education and schooling in life. That is why it is vital they are given a central role in providing education and that government recognises councils as the excellent education partner they are.’
