A UNION leader has called for a rethink on academies following a critical report.

The recent Sutton Trust report into the performance of academy chains found ‘varied results’ for disadvantaged children when schools were academised.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers' director Martin Freedman said: “The report shows, once again, that becoming an academy is no magic wand to improve school performance.

“The new education secretary, Nicky Morgan, has an opportunity to reconsider this approach and ATL hopes that she seizes it.”