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 release) the 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.

MAT gets deficit funding to turn around £800k deficit

The Royston Schools Academy Trust has been issued with a financial notice to improve - it has already received £150k of 'deficit funding' and will receive a further £650k to be repaid by August 2021.

Free school pays nearly £400k rent

The Telegraph and Argus in Bradford has reported on the rents paid by free schools. The data for the report came from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-funding-for-open-free-schools and shows that 7 out of the 39 free schools included pay rent on a lease.

FOI statements from the DfE

A batch of DfE FOI statements were delivered by email today - they are all from 2013.

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?