Sir Peter Lampl had a letter in The Times on the Chancellor’s plans

The government is right to bring in an extended school day. Our research shows that disadvantaged pupils can make two and a half months’ additional progress through targeted use of such programmes; attendance and behaviour also improve.

I hope these proposals will improve access to cultural and sporting activities for less advantaged pupils. However, the news that all schools will become academies is a further huge step away from academies’ original purpose of tackling failure in schools serving poorer pupils. It will be crucial to ensure that we have the strong leaders and good teachers needed to lift standards for disadvantaged pupils.

Read the letter on The Times website here (£)