Devon County Council takes a stand over academy plans

Devon County Council is taking a stand over government plans to force every school into becoming an academy.

The Prime Minister has defended the controversial plans in Parliament, but the Conservative Councillor overseeing schools in the county says he's being dictated to and that schools should be left to decide how they're run.

A lesson at the Duchy School in Bradninch is on the face of it like any other.

But as part of an academies trust, the school is funded directly by the government and has a little more independence over decision making.

By teaming up with other schools in the trust, the head teacher believes it has helped raise the school's standard.

With more than 85% of schools already rated as good or outstanding in Devon, the County Council believes there's no need for a wholesale change as most schools are incharge of their own budgets anyway.

READ MORE: What does it mean to become an academy?

Teaching unions say they're not just worried about issues of fair pay, but question the government motives to change the way all schools are run.

Gini Wells, of the National Union of Teachers, told us this:

Bradninch is one of ten schools in its trust overseen from the Woodwater Academy in Exeter.

The head of the trust says sharing expertise has been the greatest advantage.

Devon County Council says it's not opposed to schools becoming academies if they wish, but believes the county benefits from a variety of partnerships management models and wants the government to dtop it's idea of one rule for all.