A PLEDGE by David Cameron to end local authority control of schools has been backed by Worcestershire County Council's leadership.

Last month the Prime Minister insisted that council control over schools would soon be "a thing of the past" - insisting the way forward is to convert them into academies or free schools in a bid to drive up standards.

The suggestion has led to criticism by some education leaders but matches the stance at County Hall, where the Conservative cabinet has consistently backed conversions.

Councillor John Campion, the cabinet member for children and families, has now thrown his weight behind the idea.

He told your Worcester News many schools in Worcestershire have benefitted from "much needed investment" under the switches.

In response, the opposition Labour group has labelled Mr Cameron's position "very concerning".

Councillor Campion said: "I'm fully behind anything that helps drive up educational standards and improves the life chances of young people in Worcestershire.

"There is a large number of schools in the county already run as independent schools such as academies which have benefitted from the much-needed investment and autonomy this process can help bring about.

"Although our relationship with these schools is changing, the council still has a leadership role despite them not being local authority schools."

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "It might have sounded quote enlightening at first, but the novelty of academies and free schools is starting to wear off.

"This council is a bit of a watchdog over schools and once they go, we can't do much about them at all anymore.

"There was research out only recently suggesting one in every five academies are failing, so I think what the Prime Minister's said is very concerning.

"You do need democratic input with schools, but when they change over there's a democratic deficit."

There are now 161 council maintained schools and 61 academies or free schools in Worcestershire, the latest figures reveal.

After several years of improving results, Worcestershire now has more secondary schools rated as either 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted than anywhere else in the entire Midlands region - making the drive to create academies one of the council's success stories.

Mr Cameron made his remarks during the Conservative Party conference, insisting the time of council control of schools was coming to an end.

"My next ambition is this - five hundred new free schools, every school an academy, and yes, local authorities running schools a thing of the past," he said.

Academies are directly funded by the Department for Education rather than local councils and sometimes receive support from corporate or other sponsors.

The Government has previously unveiled plans to make every school in the country rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted an academy, and already offers all schools the chance to switch voluntarily.

Russell Hobby, the leader of the National Association of Head Teachers, has said some parents will be "dismayed" by being viewed as "obstacles".