IT is clear to everyone concerned that academies are here to stay. And in many ways they bring lots of opportunities and benefits.

Schools are given extra cash in the first year, control of their budgets in the longer term and freedom over curriculum, length of school day and staff terms and conditions.

For decades county councils across the country – including Oxfordshire – have run our local state schools.

But now for the first time the county’s education chiefs are close to wiping their hands of the issue.

They have nailed their colours to the mast formally by saying they should no longer be running schools; instead declaring they want all of them to convert to academy status.

While in many ways the county council may effectively have its hands tied, the move is somewhat worrying in terms of accountability.

The problems of literacy standards in the city’s schools is a good example.

For many months the issue was reported with little in way of a positive acknowledgment from the council.

It must be praised for its reaction reecently and just a few days ago we reported a high-profile reading campaign, spearheaded by the county council to boost achievement in literacy.

But what if, in 10 years’ time, a similar crisis emerges across the city or county in education? Who will be the body to recognise it and enforce improvements across the schools?