The government is set to face more academy controversy in the coming days, if a leaked document proves to be true.

A Department for Education (DfE) report seen by the BBC suggests that the process of turning under-performing schools into academies is both resource intensive and unjustified in many cases.

The 'What Stops at the DfE' document outlines that £290 million will be taken from the education budget by 2015-16 and civil servants have suggested that ministers look at the savings that can be made by not forcing schools into academies.

However, it appears that education secretary Michael Gove has already dismissed the suggestion.

A DfE spokesman said: "Ministers are clear we will not stand by when a school is failing its pupils, and that the strong support of a proven sponsor is the best way to see rapid and sustainable improvements.

"While it is vital that government constantly considers ways to cut bureaucracy and save public money, we make no apology for prioritising improving the education of children in the country's worst-performing schools."

National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower responded by saying that it was becoming increasingly clear that Mr Gove's academy 'pet project' was costing taxpayers money, which could be more productively spent elsewhere in the education system.

Academies are privately-run schools and although they receive state funding, they have control over their own admissions and who they employ in teaching jobs. The conversion process sees the academies get up to £110,000 in start-up costs.

Mr Gove recently angered stakeholders when he ordered the Downhills Primary School to be taken over by an academy chain, despite 94 per cent of parents opposing the move.

As someone who has spent time training and earning teaching qualifications, how do you feel about schools being forced into academies which have the autonomy to employ who they like in teaching jobs. Is that fair? Do academies lead to an improvement in standards?

Tell us your views on the academy debate.