TEACHERS have stepped up their demands for action on the government’s collapsing academies programme after it was revealed that six of the top 10 academy trusts have issued warnings over pay, short-staffing, building safety and financial risks.

Many of the largest trusts, who operate hundreds of schools across England, are at risk. Eight academies at one trust are in the red. At another chain, 17 out of 66 academy schools are in deficit.

There is a “perfect storm brewing” in England’s schools as a result of the government’s obsession with academies, warned teachers’ union NEU joint general secretary Mary Bousted.