Only 32 schools will reopen as independent academies this week as militant trade unions fight to derail flagship Tory education reforms.

A further 110 schools are expected to opt out of local council control and convert to academies during the coming months.

Education Secretary Michael Gove insisted the trend was ‘very encouraging’ but is known to be frustrated by union ‘aggression’ aimed at stopping the reforms in their tracks.

Slow progress: Education Secretary Michael Gove, pictured here, is said to be ‘encouraged’ but also frustrated at the progress

The coalition had estimated 200 schools would take advantage and rushed through legislation this summer after more than 2,000 originally expressed an interest.

The reforms are intended to boost standards by giving schools freedom to run their own affairs, including setting their own teachers’ pay, curriculum, term dates and length of the school day.

But a Labour amendment to Mr Gove’s Academies Act stipulated schools must hold a ‘consultation’ before becoming academies.

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