Thursday 18 December 2014

Guardian: not enough sponsors willing to take on tough schools

From the Guardian: looks briefly at figures showing less than expected numbers of poor performing schools converting to academies - speculates whether this is due to lack of sponsors willing to take on tough schools.


Thursday 11 December 2014

Bridging fund incentive for MAT to take on school with poor finances

In September the Bradford Telegraph reported 'Many of the academy chains who were approached to run a troubled Bradford school (Belle Vue Boys) were immediately put off when they saw its finances...' This week the paper reported: 'Bradford Council has been working on a proposal which would see a "bridging fund"...

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Bucks Learning Trust finds it difficult to access academy

From the Bucks Herald reported Amanda Taylor-Hopkins, director of education at the Buckinghamshire Learning Trust said she was finding it ‘difficult to get in’ to the Aylesbury Vale Academy (requires improvement by Ofsted) asked why standards were so different between two schools she said: 'The answer about why they are so different at this point I can’t give an answer to because we have not at this point been into Aylesbury Vale Academy. We are trying to get an appointment there but as you know it is an academy and it’s more difficult to get into.'


Wednesday 19 November 2014

Ex EFA man takes on monitoring role at Education Fellowship Trust

Education Fellowship Trust has employed Steve Artis: 'Mr Artis joins the trust with more than 25 years’ experience working within various disciplines of a public sector audit function. He spent the past three-and-a-half years working for the Education Funding Agency at the Department for Education where he undertook the lead role reviewing financial management and governance arrangements within academies...'

From the Northants Telegraph: http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/new-monitoring-officer-for-trust-behind-nine-county-schools-1-6404633

Friday 7 November 2014

Three Barrow primaries aim to form MAT to 'avoid topslice'

From North West Evening Mail: 'Greengate Infant, Nursery and Pre-school, Victoria Junior School and Yarlside Nursery and Primary School in Barrow have registered their interest with the Department for Education with a view to changing their status.'

Heads' pay debated

From the Times: 'School governors need to think very carefully before approving substantial salaries for head teachers, Nicky Morgan told MPs yesterday...“some very big numbers out there”.

PISA results undermine profit motive in schools

From TES: 'the government (of Sweden) intends to bring in legislation by 2016 that would force private companies to reinvest all profits back into their schools.

MAT approved to sponsor failing school hit with 'requires improvement'

Two months after taking on a failing primary school The Growth in Learning Trust - which runs Hareclive and no other schools and had received a ‘good’ rating in its previous inspection in 2010 -was given 'requires improvement' grading by Ofsted - from the Bristol Post.

Sunday 2 November 2014

Silver Birch MAT investigated over office expenses

The head of a MAT running two primary schools in East London spent £26k on office furniture prompting whistleblowers to call in the EFA which carried out an investigation according to the Daily Mail (19 Oct) - DfE investigation report from April 2014 said: 'The investigation has not identified fraudulent action by the Trust but has identified concerns in relation to poor procurement practice...'

Friday 31 October 2014

NAO report raises questions about consistency over financial notices to improve

The National Audit Office's look at oversight and intervention included some points about how the Department for Education compiles a list of academy trusts about which it has financial concerns and which could be issued with financial notices to improve.

Friday 17 October 2014

Nicky Morgan ridiculed by Select Committee over inspection of academy chains

Update (Oct 27): from the BBC Co-operative Academies Trust says it would welcome inspection

Update: Graham Stuart vows to question Nicky Morgan again (Yorkshire Post - 20 Oct 2014)
Letter to Ed Select Committee from Sir Michael Wilshaw reiterating that Ofsted cannot inspect academy chains (Oct 17)

Education Minister Nicky Morgan was grilled by Graham Stuart, chair of the Education Select Committee, about the inspection of academy chains by Ofsted. The exchange took place during a hearing about extremism on 15 Oct - at this link - the crucial discussion was at 10.55. (She is due to appear again before the committee on 22 October 2014) - the Guardian reports the exchange here.

AET chooses PWC as partner in outsourcing non-teaching roles including SBMs

From the The Observer (20 Sept 2014): Academy Enterprise Trust (AET) 'wants to set up a limited liability partnership with PwC'... which AET admits is entirely new to academy trusts.'

Wednesday 24 September 2014

Monday 1 September 2014

EFA chief exec's June interview

Peter Lauener, chief executive of the Education Funding Agency was interviewed by Civil Service World in June. Some of the issues raised:

  • The EFA is not legally separate from DfE in order to avoid data sharing problems which the magazine said 'was previously a problem for the YPLA...'

Saturday 30 August 2014

FT looks at Swedish model and growing concern over profit making

Some of the many points raised in an FT feature - Free schools: lessons in store:

The paper said AcadeMedia makes about 7 per cent profit, or SKr528m a year before tax, on its schools and preschools, adding that the business must attract more customers to make more money.

Nicky Morgan looking at more school/business links

Writing in the Leicester Mercury, Secretary of State for Education and MP for Loughborough, said: 'I am looking forward to a busy autumn in the Department for Education. I am looking forward to a busy autumn in the Department for Education. As well as continuing our reform programme, I am looking forward to a renewed focus on careers education and school and business links, as well as children's mental health and further work to support teachers.'

Local Government Association says black hole in school places and finances

LGA warning on funding and school places (press releasethe TES said: 'More than three-quarters of authorities in England say they have not received enough money from the government to create the extra school places needed in their area in a five-year period to 2016/17, according to a poll by the Local Government Association (LGA).' -

Bolton secondary to take over failing primary

St Paul’s CE in Astley Bridge (headteacher Karen Bramwell) has been named as the “preferred sponsor” of Gorsefield Primary, which is in special measures after Ofsted marked teaching, leadership and pupils’ achievement as “inadequate” - from the Bolton News

West London Free School changes

This story from Hammersmith Today describes changes in structure at the West London Free School (now a multi-academy trust or MAT) and the reasons for the recent change in heads - with recently appointed Hywel Jones taking over from Dame Sally Coates who stood in after Thomas Packer and Sam Naismith.

Croydon College aims to open 11-18 free school in 2016

The Croydon Advertiser reports that Croydon College 'has unveiled plans to open a new secondary school on its East Croydon campus... ‘New Croydon Academy’... will be managed by a new trust.'

Ofsted pre inspection story rumbles on

A story from the Guardian about pre inspection notice given to well connected academy chain Inspiration Trust - Academies run by 'superhead' received advance notice of Ofsted Checks - Norwich Evening News gives and update - Eight questions as Ofsted starts review of three inspections of Norfolk academies.


Heads change at Harpenden Free School

Harpenden Free School head John Gibson (joined in November 2012) leaving to be replaced by Marissa Davis, formerly deputy education director at the Girls’ Day School Trust, a network of independent girls’ schools in the UK - Herts Advertiser

More timely GCSE league tables

New league table from academy United Learning and unions National Association of Head Teachers and Association of School Leaders 'will have an immediate advantage over official DfE league tables by being more timely' (Guardian) - the league table.

Thursday 14 August 2014

Changes in the Academies Financial Handbook 2014

Compliance with the handbook (Sept 2014 Academies Financial Handbook)is a requirement in trusts’ funding agreements with the Secretary of State.

What has changed in this edition?

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Daily Mail quadruples size of Haberdashers' Aske's fraud and names suspect

The Daily Mail has claimed that an accountant called Samuel Kaymode has been told by the High Court to pay back £4.1 million to Haberdashers' Aske's - the paper said he had worked at the federation's Hatcham College since 1997.

North East Regional Schools Commissioner explains her role

In a piece for the Northern Echo, Janet Renou, the Regional Schools Commissioner for the North of England said: 'Put simply, my role is to take action swiftly where an academy is faltering, and to approve the creation of new academies across the North...'

Tuesday 22 July 2014

The Kemnal Academies Trust Ofsted inspection

Ofsted Press Release: 'Today Ofsted has published the outcome letter for the recent focused inspection of academy schools in Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT).

CET Westminster wants Reach2 to take it over

CET Westminster, which is based in an office block in Edgware Road (part of CETPS - one other school in Tower Hamlets), is looking to be taken over by Reach2, an academy chain charity

Eden Project approached by private school in free school bid

David Rowe, head of media relations at Eden, told the Cornish Guardian: 'The Eden Project was recently approached by Roselyon School, based near us in Par, to see if we could support them in their desire to become a free school. We are currently exploring the potential for...

EFA buys 5 storey block for free school in Kingston

A report in This is Local London said: 'It is understood the agency plans to turn the five-storey office block into a one-form entry free school.' The report said the building is still occupied by 12 to 14 businesses including developers CNM Estates 'which is based inside the building and has had it under option for the past five years from owner Chalford Property'. Kingston-based property consultants Cattaneo have been appointed property manager for the Secretary of State.

Friday 18 July 2014

72% of SBMs say they don't get a fair wage

The NAHT's survey of school business managers had 560 respondents, 20% of them from academies and free schools - page 7 has a chart showing the many roles in which they either lead or have some responsibility, including marketing and educational visits.



Thursday 17 July 2014

Fallibroome MAT to take on E-Act's Winsford Academy

The Fallibroome Multi-Academy Trust  - accounts - has been confirmed as the new sponsor of Winsford Academy, effective from September 1, after the Department for Education withdrew E-ACT’s right to sponsor the secondary school - according to the Chester Chronicle.

Harris wants new Merton free school to meet demand - Chapel Street to open one in Sept

The Harris Federation which runs Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Morden, has approached Merton Council to build a third free school in the area to plug the shortage of secondary school places in the borough - according to the Wimbledon Guardian.

New primary academy looks at opening free school to meet demand

A report from Get Surrey said: 'Pyrford CofE Primary School recently became an academy... governors are currently asking parents to register their interest for the new school – to be called Newark CofE Primary School.'

Laura McInerny loses FOI battle for free school applications

Education writer and recently appointed deputy editor of Academies Week, Laura McInerney wrote this account of her unsuccessful attempt to release free school applications - the DfE said it would have cost £171,875 to redact the personal information in the forms.

MAT swaps free school plan for existing school

The Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMat) -  will take control of Stamford Queen Eleanor School in Stamford after initially backing a parent-led bid to build a free school in the town. A report in the Stamford Mercury said the Government encouraging CMat to work with Queen Eleanor school after rejecting the bid. The trusts accounts do not appear to show central service charges.



Costa coffee to open in West Country academy

Education catering company Taylor Shaw won a three year contract worth £400k to provide catering services to four schools in Camborne including a Costa coffee shop at Camborne Science and International Academy - accounts - the academy provided a response saying students will be employed in the cafe which will only cater for sixth formers - from a report from This is the West Country. 

UCAT's Chester Cathedral free school loses permanent site

University Cathedral Free School in Chester can no longer relocate next to the cathedral for ‘on-going legal reasons’ according to the University of Chester Academies Trust (UCAT). A report in the Chester Chronicle said the permanent base was due to open in January this year but was delayed because the floors needed strengthening.

Enfield MAT-to-MAT swap to go ahead in September

Enfield Heights Academy will swap from CfBT to Cuckoo Hall by September 1 according CfBT as reported by  the North London Newspapers which said the schools founders sought help from CfBT and opened in September 2012 but 'less than 24 months later... has asked Cuckoo Hall Academies Trust, run by Patrica Sowter to take over.

UCL sponsored academy requires improvement

The UCL Academy in Swiss Cottage, London, had an Ofsted report saying it requires improvement. The academy was defended by Michael Gove - and a report in the Camden New Journal also notes differing views between head and sponsor, UCL.

DfE survey: finance is source of greatest change and great stress for academies

A government survey published this month found that the freedoms associated with academy status have been put to the greatest use in finance. However they also found that higher financial reporting requirements caused some stress.



PM praises £5m gift for United Learning's state and private school collaboration

United Learning received a £5m donation from hedge fund manager Alan Howard (Brevan Howard) which the prime minister described as 'one of the most generous this country has seen to a schools organisation'. It will be used to establish the United Learning Partnership Fund, which will see a collaboration between ULT's 50 schools and other independent schools - including: Marlborough College, RGS Guildford, JAGS, Manchester Grammar School, Bolton Boys' School and St Paul's Boys.

Funding agreement signed for Brixton free school

Brixton free school, Trinity Academy London, had its funding agreement signed by goves days before re-shuffle. A report in Brixton Buzz said that the funding agreement had been signed and the school's share of land had been purchased.


Site swaps for Bellevue Place Education Trust free school in Kilburn

Bellevue Place Education Trust was given permission to open a primary free school (Kilburn Grange School) in September 2015 - before then the site will be occupied by Marylebone Boys’ School, a free school due to open in September 2014 - according to a report from The Kilburn Times.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Sixth-form college bids to open 16-19 free school

The TES reports that NEW College Pontefract has submitted a bid to the Department for Education to open a new 16-19 school in nearby Doncaster.

Over-populated converter requires improvement

Ofsted has said that Armthorpe Shaw Wood Academy in Doncaster requires improvement. According to Edubase the school has a capacity of 420 but 486 pupils.

Dixons Trinity Academy had asbestos improvement notices

The Telegraph and Argus (Bradford) reported Health and Safety Executive visits to 153 non council controlled schools around West Yorkshire enforcement action was taken against 20 of these schools...

New Catholic MAT in Coventry

Coventry secondary school Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, is joining six Catholic primary schools to become a multi-academy trust called the Romero Catholic Academy according to the Coventry Telegraph.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Chapel Street will triple the number of schools it runs this year

In a Guardian round-up (mainly about Ofsted and prior warnings to academy chains) one piece mentions a 'budget deficit' at Benedict School in Mitcham Surrey which joined the Chapel Street Community Schools Trust in January.

Thursday 10 July 2014

A seven-year £914k fraud at Haberdashers' Aske's Federation

A letter to parents from Haberdashers' Aske's gave details of a £914,000 fraud and warned against speaking to the media - according to a report in the News Shopper newspaper. The letter said: 'In October 2012, we discovered that a serious financial fraud had been committed by an employee of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation... over a period of seven years, during which time the perpetrator appears to have set up a large number of small fraudulent transactions in order to commit these crimes unnoticed.'

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Trusts approached to run 'Trojan Horse' academies

Jahangir Akbar, acting principal of Oldknow Academy, one of five schools put into special measures following Ofsted 'Trojan Horse' inspections (four of the five were academies) 'said he believed at least one trust which runs academies in Birmingham had already been approached about taking over schools' - according to the Daily Mail.

Eastbourne free school given sixth form go ahead

Gildredge House free school has been given permission to take a maximum of 72 sixth form pupils from September 2015 according to the Eastbourne Herald.

Tuesday 8 July 2014

AET academy to be handed to Inspiration Trust

According to a report in the EDP: 'AET is in talks about the Norfolk-based Inspiration Trust taking over (the East Point Academy has been in special measures since April last year)'. The paper said it was the only AET school that would leave the trust.

Lion Academies Trust to take over E-Act's Hartsbrook free school

Lion Academy Trust will take control of E-Act's Hartsbrook free school from September, with Hartsbrook being renamed and rebranded, according to Haringey Today and The Tottenham Journal (which said: 'LAT, based in Leyton, north-east London, already runs three primary academies in Leyton and Walthamstow. Only one has been visited by Ofsted inspectors, who decided during a brief visit that the school was maintaining its good practices.)

Monday 7 July 2014

Academy responds to Private Eye over £100k for linked companies

The June/July issue of Private Eye ran a story about the way North West Academies Trust spent its start-up funding on firms that the trust's leadership has links to. The multi-academy trust runs a new free school St Martin's Academy in Chester and was also joined by Oakview Primary Academy in April.  Chester First and the Chester Chronicle provided coverage of Private Eye's piece and the school's response. The trust's accounts did not appear to be available on its website.

Harlow academy pupils will take GCSEs from age 13

The Harlow Star reports that pupils at Burnt Mill Academy: 'Will be sitting GCSE examinations from the age of 13 under a new structure starting in the autumn.'

Nottingham trust told to improve

A negative Ofsted inspection in the wake of Djanogly City Academy being put in special measures was reported in the Nottingham Post : 'The Torch Academy Gateway Trust, which took over sponsorship of the Forest Fields school (Djanogly City Academy), has been told it must do more to improve. It was one of six placed in special measures during a blitz of inspections last year.'

Friday 4 July 2014

Chichester Academy Trust is set to take on its sixth school

The University of Chichester Academy Trust (CAT) is set to take on a sixth school with Fernhurst Primary School.

Politics and land deals fail Fulham Boys and Sulivan Primary

The apparently mutually exclusive schools Fulham Boys and Sulivan Primary...

Essex schools plan MAT after council closure plans overruled

From the Echo: 'Deanes school, Thundersley, is on course to form a multi-academy trust with the Billericay School. Councillor Ray Gooding, responsible for education, planned to close it due to falling pupil numbers but was overturned by a Government school adjudicator in February this year.

DfE publishes destination data 'to help parents choose the best schools'

The DfE has published data under the title 'Pupils' destinations data to help parents choose the best schools'.

Cambridgeshire heads meet Gove to discuss low funding

Cambridgeshire newspapers Ely Standard and Cambridge News both reported that Cambridgeshire headteachers had met with Michael Gove saying that: 'According to recent figures, Cambridgeshire has been receiving the lowest school block funding per pupil out of all of the 151 local authorities, which has resulted in larger class sizes and fewer qualifications among teachers.'

Thursday 3 July 2014

Mystery over Croydon free school withdrawal

The Department for Education told the Croydon Advertiser: 'The proposers of the Advance School have decided that they do not have the capacity to continue with this project. We have accepted the withdrawal of the application'... the paper said...'The school was due to open in September... Repeated attempts to contact the lead founder, Russell King, by phone, e-mail and via Advance's website have failed to get a response.'

However Croydon Council website said: 'The Department for Education has decided to defer the opening of Advance Free School until September 2015'. Other ideas from Inside Croydon.

Aldridge Foundation sponsorship model for Darwen Vale High School

UPDATE: Frank Green supports academisation despite consultation results

The Aldridge Foundation has agreed to sponsor Darwen Vale High School according to the Lancashire Telegraph - however this does not appear to be as part of a multi-academy trust but as a traditional sponsor.

ARK plans blended learning free school planned by 2016

From the Mail and the TES: '...Ark Schools, is setting up a new all-through school (Ark Pioneer Academy) based on the “blended learning” model – which is likely to result in pupils spending a significant percentage of their school day being taught by computer software packages.'

Twenty Four groups on New Schools Network Development Programme

A report in the Bromley Times says the Bromley-based Bullers Wood School for Girls, which aims to set up a free school for boys, has joined New School Network's Development Programme. The paper said: 'The school is one of 24 groups to have successfully applied for a place on the national Development Programme designed to support people who want to set up new free schools.'

New Oakwood Grange head steps in at Scunthorpe academy

A new head has started at a failing Scunthorpe converter academy as it joins Oakwood Grange Academies Trust. The old head left unexpectedly early. The Scunthorpe Telegraph reported: 'Angela Hull has taken charge of the school (Invenio Academy), which will become Outwood Academy Foxhills on September 1, replacing Richard Briggs – who has agreed to become the new head teacher at Baysgarth School from September.'

Private school aims to turn free and double intake

A £20,000-a-year private school, The Royal School, in Wolverhampton has applied to become a free school in 2015 and aims to double its size to 1000 places. The Express and Star reported: 'The Royal's international school, which houses 130 pupils from 25 different countries, will be unaffected by the move.'

Go ahead for Slough Association of Secondary Heads' free school

A 900 place free school, set up by Slough Association of Secondary Head Teachers, has been given the go ahead. The Slough Express reported: 'The green-light has also been given the new 900-place school in Ditton Park Academy.'

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Councils vs academies over who should sustain service grant cuts

Councils have said that academies should bear the brunt of a proposed 20% cut to the Education Services Grant. The Local Government Chronicle reported: 'The basic local authority ESG rate for 2014-15 is £113 per pupil in mainstream community schools. Academies receive an additional “transitional protection” of £27, meaning a £140 rate per pupil... London Councils (and Sigoma)...(urged government) to remove the protections “at the earliest opportunity” to equalise funding for all schools.'

Academies take resources from council but will not end co-operation

From the Lancashire Telegraph: 'Five Blackburn with Darwen primaries are set to become Church of England academies... diverting funding... to the Church of England’s academy trust, Cidari. Education portfolio holder for the council Dave Harling said it would be a blow to other schools, but pledged to work with the church as a partner.'

Boris gives permission to use old police stations as free schools

From The Evening Standard: 'Six disused London police stations will be sold and given to free school groups struggling to find suitable buildings to open in, Boris Johnson announced today.'

DfE closes free school due to low pupil numbers

From the Birmingham Mail / BBC / and The Voice : 'The Kajans Hospitality and Catering Studio College was opened in Whitehead Road, Aston, last September offering catering courses for 14-18 year olds.

Monday 30 June 2014

Cabot appoints new head from in-house reserve

An update on an original story from the Bristol Post which reported that Armando Di-Finizio, principal of Weston-super-Mare's Hans Price Academy - part of the Cabot Learning Federation - has left the school. He has been replaced by Tony Searle, more details below....

North Norfolk Academy Trust takes to take on a third school

From Eastern Daily Press: 'Stalham High School was put in special measures in February after inspectors rated it “inadequate” across the board... school is now applying to join the North Norfolk Academy Trust in January 2015... (which) oversees Sheringham High School and is due to become sponsor of Antingham and Southrepps Primary School in autumn.

Free school trust quits its school over surplus places

From the Express and Star: 'The Wolverhampton Sangat Education Trust (which runs Anand Primary School) is to fold after its board agreed to allow the Birmingham-based Nishkam School Trust to take control of the school.

Kemnal Academies' pre inspection warning suggested

From the Guardian:'Ofsted has confirmed that Kemnal, which has 39 academies, received visits at six of its schools, starting on 11 June' - The Guardian cites claims by a teacher and an email to justify asking 'was the Kemnal Academies Trust tipped off about the visits in advance?'

List of 38 free school approvals plus press coverage

From the DfE published June 19 2014: 38 new free school list plus the government's rationale for opening free schools in areas where there is need for places.
The Independent said that the list shows 'appears to confirm a trend towards free schools being operated by multi-academy chains, rather than individual groups or parents seeking to open them'
plus Guardian coverage.

Siemens UK wants different success measure for UTCs

From the International Business Times: 'Brian Holliday, a director at Siemens UK, told IBTimes UK: 'I would like the regulator to go to those schools and recognise that there should be a different framework for judging their success, beyond the academic progress of the students.'

EMLC Academy Trust submits bids for £20m school site

From Northampton Chronicle: 'EMLC Academy Trust (which sponsors three primary schools in Northampton) is making a bid to run a new £20 million school on the site of a former Royal Mail sorting office.'

Performance-related pay criticised by Birbalsingh

From the TES: Katharine Birbalsingh told the TES: .... when the work has to do with creating team spirit, thinking, developing ideas, it will actually harm your organisation. It makes people think only about the individual and it focuses the mind on the wrong things.'

Michael Gove opens studio school

From Rye and Battle Today: Michael Gove opens studio school in Rye

Mentions:
Principal:  Jo Townshend
Chair of the Rye Academy Trust (accounts):  Jacqui Lait
Studio Schools Trust: Rosie Clayton

Secondary free school opens in Woking

From the BBC: 'A new secondary free school in Surrey has been approved by the Department for Education (DfE). 'The Hoe Valley Free School... has been approved by the Department for Education (DfE)... is set to open in September 2015... 11 to 18 "co-educational, non-selective, all-ability" school with 120 pupils in Year 7 which would grow year on year.'

Alternative provision free school sees attendance up 25%

From the Bury Free Press: 'Thetford Alternative Provision Free School opened in September last year for 11 to 16-year-olds who find mainstream schooling difficult to cope with... headteacher Nico Dobben (Everything Free Schools interview) said the school had seen a 25 per cent rise in attendance since it opened and improved behaviour among students.'

Surrey MAT looking to expand into primary schools

From the Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser: Jonathan Roddick... took over the head teacher responsibilities at St Lawrence Primary School when David Gibbs stood down earlier this year... (He is) director of primary education and executive head (primary) for the Howard Partnership Trust – a federation of academy schools in Surrey.

Islington primary looks at secondary offering

From the Islington Tribune: 'In a statement the headteacher of the school, Tanya Watson, said: “We are exploring the idea of expanding William Tyndale Primary School to age 16. There are many things to consider: first steps are to ask our par­ents and carers if they support the idea.”

Sunday 29 June 2014

Traffic, greenbelt and flood cited as reasons to refuse Slough free school

From the Slough Express: 'Traffic, greenbelt land and flood risks have been cited by South Bucks District Council as reasons to refuse the Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy which, when fully occupied, would cater for 1,140 students aged between 11 and 19.

Head departs before turning his school around - exec principal stands in

From the Nuneaton News: William Branney, headteacher at troubled Nuneaton Academy (Ofsted: inadequate)  is stepping down... 'to return to live with his family in the north of England. The academy is part of the Midland Academy Trust which said in its 2012/13 accounts that 'the trust's budget for 2013-14 shows a planned deficit of £503,451 for that year.' (p17)

Friday 27 June 2014

MAT told to improve and drop joint sponsorships with Ormiston and E-Act

From DfE: Pre-warning notice to University of Chester Academies Trust (UCAT)
A letter from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools Lord Nash to the directors of the University of Chester Academies Trust regarding the unacceptably low standards of performance of pupils at the:

Opposition cites financial investigation of Bilingual Free School

From the Argus: A financial investigation into the Bilingual Free School, Brighton and Hove, is being cited as evidence to cast doubt on a council land deal with the school.

Keighley Catholic schools form MAT

From Keighley News: 'Holy Family Catholic School, Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, and St Anne's Catholic Primary School are forging ahead with a plan to become part of a multi-academy organisation called the Christopher Wharton Trust. The three schools between them have more than 1,500 pupils, and have previously staged a consultation exercise for parents.'

Three troubled Harlow primaries join NET Academies Trust

From the Harlow Star: 'NET Academy Trust have confirmed that they have been given the go-ahead to become academy sponsors of Longwood Primary & Nursery School in Paringdon Road, Latton Green Primary School in Riddings Lane and Abbotsweld Primary School in Partridge Road.

Free school claims local heads are campaigning for its closure

From the BBC: 'A free school head teacher is accusing other local head teachers of campaigning to close her academy. Joss Glossop, principal of the Route 39 Academy in north Devon, said her students were also being excluded from sports competitions and activities.'

Public Accounts Committee criticises conflicts of interest in academies

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) - 10 June publication of 'Education Funding Agency and Department for Education financial statements'

Dudley academies to form 3-strong MAT

From Dudley News: 'Ellowes Hall Sports College is planning to... form the Invictus Trust... joining forces with Crestwood School in Kingswinford, Ounsdale High School in Wombourne and Kinver’s Edgecliff High School.'

Academy's Ofsted rating falls ahead of MAT-to-MAT handover

From This is Local London: 'Enfield Heights Academy... (was given)the second lowest ‘requires improvement’ rating in all four key areas' - the academy is currently part of the CfBT multi-academy trust but is proposing a transfer to the Cuckoo Hall Academies Trust by September 2014.

Four primaries join Adventure Learning Academies Trust

From the Cornish Guardian: 'Liskeard Hillfort Primary School joined the Adventure Learning Academy Trust (ALAT) and converted to academy status on Sunday, June 1, with Fowey River Academy, Altarnun Primary School and Gulval School.'

Chapel St free school gets go ahead for temporary site in business park

From the Lancashire Telegraph: 'Park Hill Business Centre has been chosen as the short-term site for Burnley High School... New guidelines state that buildings chosen by the Department for Education for use as state-maintained schools can be used for one academic year'

DfE says free schools can't open before identifying and securing a permanent site

The Wembley Matters blog reports a notice on the Gladstone Free School's website saying: 'The governors... have been unable to agree terms on permanent premises... as a result the school is forced to delay its opening... the decision follows a recent policy shift by the Department for Education (DfE) that no Free School can be allowed to open until a permanent site has been identified and secured.

Thursday 26 June 2014

Tudor Grange push for two tier rather than three tier could cost millions

From the BBC: 'A consultation put forward by the Tudor Grange Academy Redditch could see the three-tier system of first, middle and high schools, change to two tiers of primary and secondary schools... (campaigners said)... it would cost millions of pounds for Redditch to change to a two-tier system," she said... Our three-tier system is really successful at the moment'.

Fear of 'external sponsoring agencies' prompts Bicester schools to form academy trust

From Buckingham Today: 'The Cooper School and neighbouring Glory Farm Primary School will become Bicester Learning Academy on July 1. The two schools are already in a federation partnership.'

Two academies set up Derbyshire's first teaching school

From the Derbyshire Times: 'Shirebrook Academy and St Mary’s Catholic High School, in Chesterfield, will now prepare to launch the North East Derbyshire Teaching Schools Alliance (NEDTSA), which will see them working together to help train teachers at all stages in their careers.'

Inspiration Trust sponsor and chair of DfE Academies Board didn't apply for Ofsted role

From the EDP: Theodore Agnew, founder/sponsor of the Inspiration Trust in Norfolk, said: 'It should not be a politically-motivated appointment (chair of Ofsted). It should be a post that is supported by all the political parties because it’s an important part of the Ofsted infrastructure so I did not want to dragged into that.I think it’s a very important role and if it had not been considered controversial I would have applied for it.'



Flagship head says academy status reduces autonomy and independence

UPDATE from the TES: Melvyn Roffe commented on new rules requiring state boarding schools to make an 8% surplus: 'We can’t understand how a pragmatic conversation about how to run boarding has turned into an obligation which means we might lose boarders as a result...'

From the BBC: 'Wymondham College principal Melvyn Roffe, accused the Department for Education (DfE) of "micromanaging" schools... He said the school... became an academy because he was told this would mean major changes to our autonomy' and 'more freedom'.

SBM at private school turned free school criticises Regional Commissioner plan

From the Lancashire Telegraph: 'Nick Kershaw, business manager at QEGS, said the move (to create a 'middle tier' of Regional Commissioners) was a retrograde step. He said: 'The idea behind free schools is that they are free to fail or succeed on their own merits.''

Free school build halted as developer pulls out of 500 home residential deal

From Your Local Guardian: 'The future of Cobham Free School’s secondary provision has been thrown into turmoil after developers pulled out of the controversial proposals.'

Another chapter opens in Sulivan Primary School saga

From the Guardian: A quote from the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham's new Labour leader, Stephen Cowan: 'Hammersmith and Fulham council intends to review the decisions, taken in February, to close Sulivan by effectively merging it with a newly-expanded New King's School. It now intends to publish proposals to revoke those decisions.'

South London free school finds temporary site

From Your Local Guardian: 'A new free school which has struggled to find a site in time for September has announced a temporary location for the Autumn term. Park Community School will open two reception classes... a short walk from where the school will be permanently housed.'

Tristram Hunt claims government 'botched' free school site purchase

From St Alban's Review: During BBC Question Time (May 29) the subject of Harperbury Free School's site delay came up and Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt said: 'The Government have let you down. I know about this hospital site and they have botched it up 100 per cent and it’s a scandal what’s happened to you as a community.'

Durham free school site could cost £4m

From the Northern Echo: 'Education chiefs are considering two permanent sites for Durham Free School (DFS) and although ministers refused to disclose locations, it is believed the cost could be close to £4m even before any building begins.'

Fear of larger MATs inspires primary schools to form their own

From The East Grinstead Courier: 'Halsford Park and Baldwins Hill primary schools will, unless there is significant opposition from parents, become a joint academies trust from September 1.'

Are parents buying places when private schools become academies?

From the TES: 'Liverpool College, which was a leading private school until it gained academy status in September last year, received 385 applications from fee-paying parents in just two weeks when its bid to go state-funded was announced. A total of 81 paying pupils were admitted.'

The TES reports similar evidence at:

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn
Chetwynde School in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Holy Trinity International School in Kidderminster
Bradford Girls’ Grammar, West Yorkshire
Batley Grammar, West Yorkshire

Cidari to take on failing Blackburn primary

From the Lancashire Telegraph: 'St Aidan's CofE Primary School is expected to be turned into an academy by the Blackburn Church of England Diocese. Cidari Education is the diocese’s academy arm and it is now looking to sponsor the Mill Hill school from September.'

Dagenham's academy status battle attracts Australian support

UPDATE 26 June Local Government Chronicle: Labour Councillor Darren Rodwell said: 'Just last week I wrote to the secretary of state for education inviting him to come down to see the improvements brought about by the federation.'

From the Barking and Dagenham Post: 'A delegation from the Australian Education Union (AEU) visited the Warren last Wednesday to stand by the school as it waits for the results of a judicial review into the plans (for forced academisation).'

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Head of the first secondary university training school likes risk and innovation

From the Birmingham Post: Mike Roden, headteacher of The Univeristy of Birmingham School said: 'I’m interested in risk-taking and innovation - part of why I took this job – but this isn’t a ship that’s going to sink; it’s a ship that will lead the fleet.'






Monday 23 June 2014

Third new head in a year at Oasis Academy MediaCityUK

From the Manchester Evening News: 'Fiona O’Sullivan will take over as the new principal at Oasis Academy MediaCityUK in Salford from September... She is currently an associate principle at its sister school, the Oasis Academy in Oldham.

ARK outsources IT in £17 million with Civica contract

From Sourcing Focus and Computer World: 'ARK Schools have awarded Civica a five-year contract to provide a range of managed IT services including HR and Finance systems, server administration, storage and device management.'


Diana Gerald, chief operating officer, ARK Schools said: 'We will be able to continue to grow, and invest our resources in the things that matter - improving education for all.'

Three Blackpool schools plan catholic MAT

From the Blackpool Gazette: 'Three Blackpool schools have been handed orders to convert to academy status... The schools intend to convert from September 1, to form the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi-Academy Trust.'

Peterborough Diocese Education Trust takes on its first school

From the Northants Telegraph: 'A Kettering primary school has become the first to join a newly established schools trust... St Andrew’s Primary School became an academy on May 1 when it joined the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust.'


Miranda Robinson, director of Peterborough Diocese Education Trust.

Vice principal to take headship of chain's new secondary free school

From the Yorkshire Evening Post: 'Rebekah Taylor is the principal designate of the Ruth Gorse Academy, which opens later this year...She is currently vice principal of the Farnley Academy, run by the Ruth Gorse Academies Trust.'

Nick Weller, Dixons Academy, on Prospects Academies Trust

From the Gloucester Citizen: Nick Weller, executive principal of the Dixons Academies Trust and chairman of the Independent Academies Association wrote a piece for the Gloucester Citizen in the aftermath of the Prospects Academies Trust's announcement that it will close down and pass its schools onto other sponsors (BBC, The Independent, ).

Floreat seeks permission for Brentford primary free school

From GetWestLondon: '...Founder of educational charity, Floreat, James O'Shaughnessy, and his team are behind the plans to start up a new two-form entry school, admitting 60 reception pupils each year, from September 2015...Developers ISIS, who are behind the Brentford Lock West development, offered to provide the land to build the school on Commerce Road...'

DfE will fund £12m Islington free school build costs

UPDATE (Islington Gazette interview with head Laura Birkett 19 June ) The Islington Tribune reports that: 'The DfE has entered into a funding agreement with the private company behind Whitehall Park School... previous estimates by the board of Ashmount School put the cost of demolition and rebuilding at around £12.5m.'





Birmingham academy franchise secures planning for fourth site

From the Birmingham Mail: 'The Perry Beeches Academy has secured planning permission to convert the Jewellery Quarter building into a secondary school for up to 620 pupils – opening this September... (the )franchise operates three schools... executive head teacher Liam Nolan said the fourth is already over-subscribed.'

Seven Wiltshire schools aim to form a MAT

From thisisWiltshire.co.uk: 'Seven Melksham schools have announced plans to join together... Melksham Oak Community School and six primaries want to form a Multi Academy Trust.'

Hounslow heads team up for free school bid

From ChiswickW4.com: 'A group of local secondary head teachers is applying to open their own free school in the Brentford and Isleworth area.'

Accountability issues in Brighton and Hove?

From Local Schools Network: A piece describing concerns about and relationships between Brighton and Hove schools and colleges: City College, Brighton and Hove, Hove Park School, Whitehawk Primary School.

Friday 13 June 2014

Have multi-academy trust accounts complied with new transparency rules?

(UPDATED June 16) The government provided a list 'of all academy sponsors with 10 or more academies' after an MP put the question to the Secretary of State for Education. This post looks at the accounts of the multi-academy trusts (MATs) on that list and what they have provided under new transparency rules.

Thursday 5 June 2014

Teesside MAT wins £1.3m funding - triple the average

From the Gazette Live: Elizabeth Kipling-Vasey, the head of strategy and special educational needs at The Horizons Specialist Academy Trust said:'There were four times as many bids as schools who received the funding, and the average amount given out was £400,000, so for us to have two successful bids and receive the amount we did was incredible...'

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire schools near MAT

From the Ripley and Heanor News: Mill Hill School in Ripley, Derbyshire, has been asked by The West Bridgford School in Nottinghamshire to form a Multi-Academy Trust...

Colma Trust absorbs another Croydon school

From the Croydon Guardian: 'Archbishop Lanfranc School is to be absorbed by an academy provider that runs two other Croydon secondaries... Coloma Trust...  (which) runs Coloma Convent Girls' School, the highest performing state secondary school in Croydon, and Quest Academy, formerly known as Selsdon High.'

Law firm Trowers & Hamlins appointed by EFA for building programme

From a press release published by law firm Trowers & Hamlins saying it 'has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Education to provide all legal advisory services to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) for its national free school, university technical college, and studio school programme of building and refurbishing at least one hundred schools a year.'

Wednesday 4 June 2014

One of E-ACT's withdrawn schools will close

From the BBC: 'The Sherwood E-Act Academy, in Gedling... which had to find a new sponsor after E-Act pulled out... will close for year 7, 8 and 9 students, while GCSE pupils will stay on until their exams finish... Sherwood Academy pupils will be offered a place at The Carlton Academy from September while GCSE students will come under the supervision of the Redhill Academy in Arnold (which had been in talks to take over the school).'


Lancashire free school overcomes council opposition

From the Burnley Citizen: 'Burnley High School is now set to open in September after receiving the all clear to set up the facility.... The school, part of the the Chapel Street Schools Trust, has been told that the former Habergham High School has been secured as the permanent site for Burnley High School.'

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Scheme to sign up 'high calibre' governors

From the BBC: The Inspiring Governors Alliance wants to encourage more "high-calibre people" to volunteer... There are 350,000 governors in England...overseeing £46bn of school spending ...the expertise provided by governors to the school system has the value of £1bn per year."

Warren School will be forced to become an academy - Lord Nash letter.

From the Barking and Dagenham Post: 'A school in Chadwell Heath will be forced to become an academy despite the majority of parents opposing the move, the department of education announced today.' A Judicial Review is being sought BBC.

Two Devon schools chosen to be National Teaching Schools

From the Bournemouth Echo: Tregonwell Multi-Academy Trust and Twynham School have been selected to be National Teaching Schools - Teaching schools were introduced in 2001 and are all rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. They raise standards through school-to-school support.

Thursday 22 May 2014

Sir David Carter answers questions on academy finances

Sir David Carter, Chief Executive of Cabot Learning Federation and recently appointed Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) for the South West, has answered some questions originally published  in the run up to the Education Select Committee hearing on 13 May.

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Staff reshuffles at King's Lynn schools

From Lynn News: 'Craig Morrison will lead both the King’s Lynn Academy (KLA) and the King Edward VII School (KES) from the start of the new term in September, when KES will also convert to academy status.'

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Fee paying school scraps free school plans over faith cap

From the Liverpool Echo: (St Mary’s College) has scrapped plans to become a free school after a clash with the Archdiocese of Liverpool... (which)refused to back its application because of the Government’s decision to impose a 50% cap on the number of pupils admitted to free schools on the basis of their faith.'

Private school turned free school admits bureaucracy increase after Ofsted downgrade

From The Journal: Former private school Grindon Hall (Sunderland)... had been rated “good with outstanding features” by the education watchdog prior to becoming a free school has now been told it “requires improvement”... Principal Chris Gray said: 'Moving from the private school world into the public sector as a free school has been a bureaucratic challenge in many ways and this is reflected in the report.'

Monday 19 May 2014

ARK/United Learning veteran fills West London Free School gap

From Chiswick4.com:  'Toby Young, who led a group of parents in setting up the free school confirmed her role on Friday May 9, saying: "Dame Sally Coates (recently departed from ARK to United Learning) has very kindly agreed to keep on eye on the school this term and help us recruit a new head..."'

Public Accounts Committee criticises free school finances

The Public Accounts Committee published its report into the establishment of free schools saying: 'The Agency (EFA) relies on high levels of compliance by schools, yet fewer than half of free schools submitted their required financial returns for 2011-12 to the Agency on time.

Rift over alleged diversion of £400m to free schools

From the Guardian/Observer: '...Lib Dems confirmed highly damaging leaked information from a senior government source, who said that Gove had secretly taken the money from the Basic Need fund for local authorities last December, in the face of stiff opposition from the Lib Dem schools minister David Laws...According to the coalition insider, the £400m would be enough to fund 30,000 new school places...

DFE investigates two inspectorates over Trojan horse allegations

From the Sunday Times: 'The DfE is understood to be investigating the Association of Muslim Schools UK (AMS-UK) and the Bridge Schools Inspectorate (BSI) amid claims that some of their inspectors support fundamentalist Islamic beliefs...'

New head at Manchester Academy and new CEO at Landau Forte Charitable Trust

From the BBC: Andy Griffin will become principal at Manchester Academy (United Learning) in Moss Side... previously the head at Broadoak School in Partington.

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Last two Regional Schools Commissioners are women

The last two of eight Regional Schools Commissioners (RSC) were announced by Schools Commissioner Frank Green at the Education Select Committee yesterday morning (via Laura McInerney) - the full list of eight is below.

Monday 12 May 2014

Friday 9 May 2014

West London Free School buys £9m office block

From the Evening Standard: The paper reports the school will be too big for its Cambridge Grove site by September, that it now has three Hammersmith sites (only one of which is used for classrooms) and plans to turn its new £9 million office block into another school building.

Nuneaton Academy rated 'inadequate'

From the Coventry Telegraph: The principal of Nuneaton Academy, William Branney - in the post since January (2014) - said the 'inadequate' rating was 'not wholly unexpected'.

Berkshire primary academy becomes a national teaching school

From Get Reading: Churchend Primary Academy in Usk Road has been selected by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) to become a national teaching school.

Tauheedul MAT's proposed 'flagship' opens as independent academy

From the Lancashire Telegraph: The school proposed as the 'flagship' of the fast-growing Tauheedul academy chain (Tauheedul Free Schools Trust) has opened as an independent academy.

Thursday 8 May 2014

Ormiston interim managers at failing school made permanent

From the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News: 'John Rigby and Tuesday Humby of Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy (OBA) were appointed as interim executive headteacher and interim deputy headteacher respectively to change the school’s fortunes following ex-headteacher Carole Owen’s retirement in January.'

SPTA academies win priority school building programme cash

From the Star: The Government is working with Askern Moss Road Infant School and Don Valley Academy and Performing Arts College as part of the Priority School Building Programme, with the sites being either rebuilt or refurbished.

Another secondary joins Kent Catholic School's Partnership

From the Canterbury Times: St Anselm’s became an academy as part of the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership at the start of this month.

West London Free School seeks third head in three years

From the Evening Standard: 'Sam Naismith, current head of the West London Free School in Hammersmith, is stepping down after just over a year in the post.'

£300k for a new 5-member academy teaching school alliance

From the Northern Echo: FIVE Church of England schools in the Diocese of Durham will receive £300,000 over 3 years for the new Prince Bishop Teaching School Alliance which consists of:

Academy and museum get £139k funding for partnership

From Local Berkshire: 'The Langley Academy has teamed up with the River and Rowing Museum... to set up teacher and museum champions to align museum programmes with school curriculums across the region... thanks to a £138,600 grant from Arts Council England.'

Parents question details of academy consultation process

From the Birmingham Mail: '...parents were ...concerned that the schools (Colmore Infant and Nursery School and neighbouring Colmore Junior School) had engaged a consultancy company specialising in academy conversion, leading to speculation that it was a “done deal”.'

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Teachers panel questions free school bid over asbestos

From Wembley Matters: 'Brent Teachers' Panel has written to Katharine Birbalsingh... and Michael Gove... seeking information on the asbestos removal programme at Arena House...'

Oxfordshire calls for academy admissions reform

From the Guardian: 'Academies can turn pupils away even when they have surplus capacity, according to Oxfordshire county council (Conservative)... the policy potentially puts at risk the option for parents to send their children to a "good, local school" and wants such admission freedoms to be fettered.'

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Sikh school given all clear over contamination fear

From the Bucks Free Press: 'THE Khalsa Academy site is safe for pupils and staff, according to the Department for Education, after concerns were published over possible ground contamination.'

Sixth form free school bid attacked by MP

From the Yorkshire Post: Angela Smith MP said proposals for the Chapeltown Academy, on a business park in Sheffield,it has 'very little transparency in the development of the venture and it is risky' - it has been given initial Government support... The school’s director of education Ali Jaffer responded...

Cidari Trust grows by one with three more lined up

From The Lancashire Telegraph: St Luke and St Philip’s Primary (Blackburn) became the second school to join the Church of England in Lancashire’s academy trust....Cidari Trust which has been operating for several months and already includes St George’s High, a secondary in Blackpool.

Council seeks new MAT to break monopoly of existing MAT

From the Oxford Mail: 'The council also wants to have a school that is not run by King Alfred’s Academy Trust in Wantage.' The paper reported that Grove Parish Council Chairman Frank Parnell had contacted three academy chains and had already spoken to Aspirations Academy Trust.

£2bn for PSBP will not go far, says architect

From BD Magazine: After the announcement by the DfE that it would put £2bn into its Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) the magazine reported Rob Howard, director of architecture and a school design specialist at Broadway Malyan saying: 'with over 10,100 primary and secondary community schools in England as of January 2013, even accounting for the improvements already made, £2 billion will not go very far.'

Monday 5 May 2014

Academy's sixth form plans should boost local economy

From the Stoke Sentinel: 'Haywood Academy will receive around £1 million from the Department for Education to turn Burslem Town Hall into its new sixth form college... Steelite International, which sponsors the academy, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council are also supporting the £2.1 million project.

Free school bid picked two sponsor chains later forbidden from growing

From the Daventry Express: Middlemore Residents Association has admitted defeat for now in its in bid to bring a free school to the 
Daventry estate (Northamptonshire)... Initially E-ACT... was chosen (until) it was given notice to improve... the group then worked with the David Ross Education Trust (DRET) before DRET was told by the Department of Education to concentrate on existing academies rather than build new ones.

Brent free school opening delayd

From Wembley Matters:The DfE has not been able to secure a site for the school (Gateway Academy)... due to open to Year 7 pupils... will now not open in September

Friday 2 May 2014

June elections for Head Teacher Boards - 2 RSCs yet to be appointed

In his speech at the Academies Show schools minister Lord Nash said elections to Head Teacher Boards (HTBs) that will support Regional Schools Commissioners will start in June.

Laura McInerney: Regional School Commissioners vs Directors of School Standards

Published in Matt Hood's blog: 'Today this blog compares the Labour Directors with Coalition Commissioners. Then tomorrow, we’ll reveal our own model (Published: Could the middle tier look like this?).'

David Blunkett's education review

From David Blunkett MP, also a piece in the Guardian: 'My report for the Labour party's policy review, published today, has sought to focus on a strategy for school improvement...'

Primary Academy given permission to sponsor up to two more primaries

From Bucks Free Press: 'Chepping View Primary Academy has announced it has gained the approval of the Department for Education to sponsor up to two other primary academies.'

Al-madinah update with timeline - DfE says it was 'right to intervene'

From the Derby Telegraph: THE Department for Education has said an "encouraging" report on Derby's Al-Madinah School has justified its "right to intervene"... more than half of the 140 secondary pupils have left to find new schools.'

Free school head steps down after less than a year

From the Guardian, with some more details from the Judith Kerr school's website: '...Basia Lubaczewska, head at Judith Kerr primary, a German-English bilingual school in Herne Hill, south London, stepped down last month, only six months after it opened' ... interviews for replacements are being conducted...
Interim head: Dorothy Spence
Consultant head: Maura Keady

Guardian: 9% of free schools rated inadequate

From the Guardian: 'Four free schools have been rated "inadequate" by the inspectorate, of the 41 that have had judgments published as of the end of last week. This is 9.7%. By contrast, the latest Ofsted data on all state schools shows only 3% are categorised as inadequate.'

Tauheedul's Blackburn school 'outstanding' in second year of existence

From the Lancashire Telegraph: 'Tauheedul Islam Boys (High) School (TIBHS) has achieved an outstanding Ofsted rating in just its second year in existence.'

Thursday 1 May 2014

BBC: EFA concern over family appointments and NY trip at trust

From the BBC: 'The Education Funding Agency report highlights concerns about the Education Fellowship Trust (which runs 16 schools).

TV teacher says Essex can no longer support non academy schools

Brentwood County High School -  is consulting on converting: On its website the school said: 'We are seeking to convert to be a Co-operative Academy... less than ten of Essex's seventy-five secondary schools are still under the control of the Local Authority, that the LA no longer has the capacity to support our school as it has done in the past.'

Essex secondary consider's being sponsored by its exec head's school

From the Basildon Recorder: Woodlands School, Basildon, is now considering being sponsored by Appleton School. Karen Kerridge who is executive headteacher at Woodlands is also the head at Appleton  - Appleton is a Business and Enterprise Colleges, its main sponsor is the Arcadia Group.

Haverhill Academy becomes a national teaching school

From the Haverhill Echo: 'Samuel Ward Academy has been selected by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) to become a national teaching school...'

City of Norwich School given permission to join Ormiston

From CNS: City of Norwich School has said it can convert to academy status as a sponsored academy - its sponsor would be Ormiston Academies Trust. The School said 'CNS will retain its name, brand and identity and will be an integral part of the Ormiston family of academies...Consultations can now take place with staff, parents and the local community.

Primary in status consultation in anti academy Leicester

From the Leicester Mercury: Northfield House Primary, in Leicester, (Ofsted: special measures)... A statement on the school's website said: 'The governing body of our school is proposing to convert to an academy, sponsored by Rushey Mead Educational Trust.'

Inspiration in talks with another secondary school

From the Norwich Evening News: 'Great Yarmouth High School... ( Ofsted: requires improvement)... is in negotiations to join the Inspiration Trust... sponsored by Theodore Agnew, chairman of the Department for Education’s Academies Board.

Wednesday 30 April 2014

TES: ex sponsor says standalone free schools not viable

From the TES: In an interview with the TES Ronda Fogel, executive director of the Constable Educational Trust, said: 'Free schools are opened on very tight budgets and there is not much room for manoeuvre for anything different. I know that the CET primary schools struggled and that is why their Ofsteds were poor...

Monday 28 April 2014

Free school's 42-week year

From Hemel Today:  Dr Sue Attard, Executive Head of Jupiter Community Free School, part of West Herts Community Free School Trust - announced 'the introduction of an extended 42-week year, allowing parents to take their children on holiday for two weeks of term time without reducing the amount of time they spend on teaching and learning... The final two weeks of the year will still have an educational focus but will be more relaxed.'

Rural focus: free school joins forces with Duchy College

From the Mid Devon Gazette: 'Route 39 Academy (Devon) and Duchy College in Cornwall are progressing plans for their partnership in delivering joint courses in North Devon, which could see a range of land-based qualifications delivered from the academy.'

Greenwich Free School requires improvement

From the Guardian:'...Greenwich free school in southeast London, has been labelled by Ofsted as requiring improvement after its first inspection...a mild embarrassment for some of the secondary school's prominent supporters, including the education secretary, Michael Gove, and for its chair of governors, Jonathan Simons, the head of education at the thinktank Policy Exchange and a co-founder of the school.

Friday 25 April 2014

United Learning replaces head with principal and executive principal

From This is Wiltshire: Julie Tridgel, headteacher at Nova Hreod Academy in Swindon, announced she was leaving in February... Ben Parnell and Darren Barton... existing heads at United Learning's Glenmoor and Winton (Where Mr Parnell is Executive Principal) academies in Bournemouth - they will become Interim Executive Principal and Interim Principal on May 1.

Norwich co-operative founder now looking for academy sponsor

From the Norwich Evening News: Governors of the The Tuckswood Primary School, one of the founders of the Norwich Co-operative Learning Trust and which 'forced academy' Cavell Primary had planned to join - are considering becoming an academy with Cavell's would-be sponsor, Right for Success.

DfE backtracks on Chinese bi-lingual free school

From This is Local London: The Marco Polo Academy had been approved by the Department for Education (DfE) in January but the decision has been backtracked because the bilingual Chinese and English school was “not inclusive enough” and the campaign group behind it were “not ready” to run a school.

Thursday 24 April 2014

Chichester Uni's trust signs up Portsmouth primary

From About My Area: The Flying Bull has joined the University of Chichester's Multi-Academy Trust.

Ormiston Venture Academy opens new buildings

From EDP: Ormiston Venture Academy in east Norfolk opened its new £8m facilities...

£10.9m refurb for Dover academy

From the KM Group: 'Dover Christ Church Academy is set to receive £10.9 million for specialist teaching areas...the final scheme of six in a Kent County Council initiative, supported by the Education Funding Agency... The contract has been awarded to Willmott Dixon Construction.'

Damning Ofsted report published - new head and chair of governors in place

From the St Helens Star: 'Hope Academy at Newton-Le-Willows underwent an inspection at the end of February... the school has been classed as “inadequate”...'

Academy head steps down to teach - replaced by a non-teacher

From Bourne Local: Robert Sloan has been appointed acting principal of Charles Read Academy in Corby Glen - replacing Ali Story, who will focus exclusively on teaching science... the school was taken over by the David Ross Education Trust in June.

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Academy in funding talks with DfE after science block is closed for safety reasons

From the Nottingham Post: 'THE principal of Arnold Hill Academy (Robin Fugill) is to meet Government officials again to discuss funding for a new science block... he was forced to close the science block due to safety concerns.'

Guardian - Tribal conflict of interest?

From the Guardian: The paper reports on a possible conflict of interest between Tribal being a service provider to schools and an inspector of schools - its website reporting the results of Ofsted inspections of schools to which it also provides education services.

Guardian - the powers of Regional Schools Commissioners

From the Guardian: 'RSCs will approve or reject DfE intervention plans in "underperforming" academies, recruit academy sponsors and "pause" the expansion of those not felt to be doing well. They will also consider academy requests to change their admissions arrangements.'

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Aspiration Academies Trust to sponsor new build junior school

From the Daily Echo: '...a new £6.8million junior school in Poole... the Ocean Academy, which will be sponsored by the Aspiration Academies Trust (AAT)... built on council-owned land.'

Understanding of 'very low revenue funding' helps Greenwood win Cambridge bid

From CambsTimes: The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust has been selected by Cambridgeshire County Council to run the new secondary school in Littleport... ahead of the Active Learning Trust...

£20m for academy to rebuild itself

From the Watford Observer: 'A "forgotten" west Watford school will be demolished and rebuilt following a £20 million government grant...  principal, Tim Body, said: "This is very exciting time. We will be having a brand new school from scratch."'

Friday 18 April 2014

Tenbury High School to join Ormiston academies

From Ludlow Advertiser: A party of four made up of (Tenbury High School) head teacher Adrian Price along with chair of governors John Garbutt, vice chair Ken Pollock, and governor Jane Jenner, went to Stoke-on-Trent to visit the Sir Stanley Matthews Ormiston Academy.

Thursday 17 April 2014

Independent school's bid to become free school gets go ahead

From the Kidderminster Shuttle: 'The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed it will be drafting a funding agreement to enable Holy Trinity International School (IES), in Birmingham Road, to become Holy Trinity Free School from September this year.'

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Burnley free school funding agreed

From The Burnley Citizen:Russell Rook, chief executive of Chapel Street (Backers behind Burnley High School), said: “ 'We have received the news that many of us have been waiting for – the Secretary of State has agreed to enter into a Funding Agreement for Burnley High School.'

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Delayed free school 'loyalty' offer may 'strain... relations with other schools and the LEA'

From the Borehamwood Times: 'Children who were due to start at (delayed Harperbury Free School)... could still be offered Year 8 places for 2015 - if there is demand... headteacher Martin Blain said: 'We need to stress the process of setting up the 2015 year eight is complex and will strain our relations with other schools and the LEA.'

Work starts on joint Catholic and Anglican academy

From the Shropshire Star and BBC: 'Building work is getting under way on a new £14 million joint Anglican and Catholic academy school in Telford which will be the first of its kind in the county.

Monday 14 April 2014

Another Hastings school turns to ARK

From the Hastings Observer: 'Blacklands School... ‘inadequate’ in February... announced its proposals to become part of the ARK academy network... its Interim Executive Board (IEB) has begun a formal consultation...

Hindu free school wins council support

From This is Local London: Last night Harrow Borough council's cabinet approved a recommendation to allow the Avanti House free school to be built on Whitchuch Playing Fields... Earlier this week it was announced the Education Funding Agency had given its approval for a free school to go ahead on the site.

Regional schools commissioners - biographies and other details

A lot of people looked at this site yesterday for details about Regional School Commissioners  for the full details including biographies of the appointees all the details from the DfE's regional press releases are below.

New head appointed as existing head promoted

From the Braintree and Witham Times: Steven Clark has left as headteacher at Tabor Academy - The new head will be Matthew Slater, previously head of The Drapers Academy in Havering.

Wilmott Dixon takes £20m free school contract

From Construction Enquirer: 'Willmott Dixon is understood to have clinched a contract worth up to £20m to design and build a secondary school for the University of Birmingham.... the first free school and sixth form college run by a university...

Friday 11 April 2014

The six new Regional Schools Commissioners

UPDATE (May 14 2014) - The last two of eight Regional Schools Commissioners (RSC) were announced by Schools Commissioner Frank Green at the Education Select Committee yesterday morning (via Laura McInerney).
So there are now eight RSCs.

Bradford's £15m Grace Academy building to start

From the Telegraph and Argus: 'A £15 million school, called Grace Academy, will be the next major school building project in Bradford and is on track to open in September 2015...the Council will build the school... 1050 pupils,100 staff... Dr David Lee, chairman of the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, said: "There is the planning permission for the site in place and we now have all the specs for the design of classrooms."'

From The Construction Index: 'Working for Integrated Bradford LEP Ltd, Wates will build a 7,700m2 seven-form entry school with capacity for 1,050 students aged 11 to 16 years... Designed by CPMG Architects, the new building will use Wates’ Adapt Schools Solutions model.'