A KEY reason why I stood for election was to help create more opportunities for all local residents. Education is pivotal to this and helps ensure that every child has a good start in life. That is why I campaigned hard to ensure that we have fairer funding in our schools, why I visit so many local schools to hear and engage with them and the all too often unsung heroes – teachers, and why I am on the Education Select Committee in Parliament.

Recently there has been debate about whether or not all schools should become academies. There are many benefits of academisation including economies of scale – meaning more money to spent on educating and more support for struggling schools. There is also the opportunity to share staff and teaching resources and greater teacher career advancement to help with retention and recruitment of great teachers.

In my constituency all secondary schools bar Abbeyfield are academies, plus one third of primary schools. They are flourishing. However, many of our local authority schools are too, in fact we are lucky to benefit from some of the country’s best schools.

I am pushing for an option whereby councils can act as an academy chain sponsor for good and outstanding schools. This will mean we will not have to interfere with ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ schools, which are working well with our council.

My idea would give the teachers the freedom to lead the school but the council the overall governance.

Above all, academies place power with teachers and schools, not bureaucrats and politicians. Education of our children should be put in the hands of educators and they must have freedom to offer the best education tailored to suit the children they teach.

Last week I made this point to the Education Secretary as I believe it is in the best interests of our children, teachers and schools. For more information and to watch my questioning of Nicky Morgan visit michelledonelan.com/academies

I am trying to put more and more content onto my website to inform local people about my work as our MP so, as well as more information on local schools, I have added a page on the recent junior doctor strike. I have included some background to the dispute as well as my personal views. Please visit michelledonelan.com/junior-doctors.

As always, do contact me with any concerns or views on local or national issues: michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk.