New measures to force councils to convert failing schools into academies have been passed through Parliament.

The Education and Adoption Bill, which will allow quicker intervention where a school is coasting or failing, has been approved by Parliament and will now go to Her Majesty the Queen for royal assent.

The Government claims academies are more accountable than council-run schools. Schools minister Nick Gibb said: ‘The measures in the Education and Adoption Bill will improve the life chances of thousands of children in communities across England.

‘The bill will raise standards in schools by allowing us to tackle failure from day one, ensuring swift action is taken wherever a school is not providing the high standards of education rightly expected by parents.’

Officials predict up to 1,000 schools with an 'inadequate' rating from Ofsted could be converted to academy status.

Visit The MJ (£) to find out why Labour made a last-ditch attempt to get the Bill amended.