Michael Gove, the education secretary, faced renewed attacks today when it emerged that only 153 schools had applied to become academies – despite his claims that more than 1,000 had done so.

Gove had said that the scale of demand from schools to escape town hall control required the government to rush legislation through parliament before this week’s summer recess.

It now seems likely that no new academies will be formed in time for the autumn term as a result of the scheme.

The shadow education secretary, Ed Balls, accused Gove of “railroading” the legislation through parliament, and demanded that he explain why he “misleadingly claimed that more than 1,000 schools had applied”. Balls, a contender for the Labour leadership, added: “It seems to me that the real reason for the rush was to avoid proper scrutiny for a deeply flawed piece of legislation.”

Continues: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/29/michael-gove-academies-schools-claims