'Three in 10' North East secondary schools are academies
Around three in 10 secondary schools in the North East are now academies, according to new official figures.
The numbers show a rapid expansion of the government's flagship education programme over the last four years.
The proportion of primary schools with academy status is lower, at around one in 11, but is also growing.
Ministers say these state-funded schools which are outside council control lead to an improvement in standards.
But campaigners against academies say they reduce local influence over education.
08 Mar 2014
- From the section Tyne & Wear