THOSE concerned about the proposal to make all schools academies, as I am, may be interested to know that our MP Neil Carmichael, in his capacity as chairman of the commons Education Select Committee, pointed out on March 16, that MATs (Multi-Agency Trusts) ‘currently receive little scrutiny’.

This was the date of the budget which confirmed the Government’s intention to make all schools academies, and came four days after the Select Committee initiated its inquiry into MATs which run many academies.

It just happens that the previous week on March 10, the head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, following their investigation of Multi-Academy Trusts causing concern, reported to Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education.

The report includes the following: ‘Despite having operated for a number of years, many of the trusts manifested the same weaknesses as the worst performing local authorities and offered the same excuses’.

Nicky Morgan does not appear to have read Ofsted’s report, judging by her admiring comments on academies.

The Select Committee Enquiry is taking evidence until April 25.

Those concerned about the Government’s academy plans might like to make sure that the Committee is fully aware of the evidence from Ofsted and others so that it is able to come to an informed conclusion.

In the meantime, Mr Carmichael surely needs to call publicly for Ms Morgan to cancel the academy plans at least until the evidence has been examined.

Paul Shevlin

Stroud