MPs today reject a call by a Bradford principal for every school to become an independent academy – arguing there is no evidence it would improve results.

The Conservative-led education committee accuses the Government of “exaggerating the success of academies”, after it encouraged thousands of schools to make the switch.

And it concludes: “Current evidence does not allow us to draw conclusions on whether academies in themselves are a positive force for change.”

The report comes after Nick Weller, the head of the Dixons academies in Bradford, urged ministers to press the accelerator on the programme.

Giving evidence to the committee last year, Mr Weller said local authorities lacked “democratic accountability” and should not oversee schools.

And he pointed to the success of Dixons Allerton, since it opened as an academy on the site of the failing Rhodesway School in 2009.

Mr Weller said: “For 15 years it had been on the slide and had been in special measures for the longest time of any school in the country – from 2002 all the way through to 2006.

“I would like to see local authorities focus on their statutory duties around SEN [special educational needs] and admissions. I would like to see a 100 per cent academised system.”

But Bradford East MP David Ward, who helped carry out the inquiry, said it had been exhaustive, including visiting the similar ‘charter schools’ in the United States.

The Liberal Democrat MP said: “There is no clear evidence of any magic dust that’s attached to academies and free schools. It cannot guarantee success – it’s an act of faith.

And, asked about Dixons’ call, Mr Ward added: “Surprise, surprise, great leadership and teaching bring good results. But it doesn’t matter if it is a local authority maintained school, an academy or a free school.”

As well as Dixons Allerton, three other Bradford secondaries are part of the chain – Dixons City Academy, a former City Technology College, and Dixons Trinity Academy, a ‘free’ school, Dixons Kings Academy, formerly the Kings Science Academy free school.

It also boasts the recently-opened Dixons McMillan and two primaries, the Dixons Music free school and Dixons Marchbank, formerly Bradford Moor Community School.

Dixons can point to good results for poorer pupils, winning praise for overall GCSE marks, as well as for progress made in the key subjects of English and maths.

However, 14 academy chains were banned from expanding last year - because of concerns over standards and financial management.

Today’s report found: “Academisation is not always successful, nor is it the only proven alternative for a struggling school.”