SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has sounded a note of caution on the government's march to impose the academy school model across the country.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Tory politician said: "There is no doubt that we all want the best for our children.

"In Dorset we have both types of schools: state run schools and academies. May I suggest caution as we proceed because a 'one cap fits all' approach always makes me nervous?

"A natural progression, from one to another, as suggested by some of my colleagues, is probably the best way to go, rather than imposition."

Prime Minister David Cameron has set out his vision for England's education system, announcing every school in the country should become an academy,or be one the way to becoming an academy, by 2020.

Academy schools, such as Poole's Magna Academy and St Aldhelm's Academy, are independent - outside of local authority control - and funded directly by central government.

This means they don't have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times. Academy schools are overseen by individual charitable bodies called academy trusts and may have sponsors, such as businesses, universities or faith groups.

More than half of all secondary schools in England are now academies.

However, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) claim that they undermine the state school system and that there is no evidence they raise education standards.

Mr Drax said: "My strong feeling is that schools should only become academies when appropriate.

"Academy schools have been allowed to evolve naturally in Dorset according to demand by parents and governors, and we have had some great successes because everyone was on board.

"Imposing this model from on high will only antagonize people when in time, they may well choose to move to academy status when they see how well they work.

"There is no urgent reason to change this system now."