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).'

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.

'Legal side' blamed for two-year status change

From the Oxford Mail: Head 'Ms (Joan) Morters said: 'It has been really great to become an academy again. The legal side took a while... it will just mean that we will swap Oxfordshire County Council as the Local Education Authority for the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST).

Experience, understanding and independence

This week the EFA launched a survey on how academies are taking up their new freedoms: 'We’re particularly interested in whether academies are using the freedoms and flexibilities available to them and what difference this has made to schools.

Do legal powers of interim board change if special measures are lifted?

From EDP:

The paper said: 'Opponents to the conversion of Cavell Primary School say the interim executive board (IEB) – which replaced the board of governors last year – does not have the power to request the conversion, and have threatened legal action should the bid go ahead.

Non-striking alternative to teacher unions claims high levels of interest

From the Guardian: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/hundreds-of-teachers-sign-up-for-nostrike-service-offering-alternative-to-trade-unions-9093603.html

'Hundreds of teachers have signed up for a new no-strike legal service offering an alternative to trade union membership...

Pickles over-rules Tower Hamlets free school decision

From Planning Resource: http://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1228310/pickles-backs-tower-hamlets-free-school

'The communities secretary has overruled a London borough's rejection of plans for a free school after concluding that concerns about noise, pedestrian safety and traffic congestion could be mitigated via planning conditions..

Taylor Wimpey legal challenge delays free school

From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-25766896

'A housing developer is making a third attempt to build homes on land earmarked for Reading's first free secondary school.

More detail on Romford High Court intervention

From the Evening Standard: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/high-court-puts-brakes-on-east-london-schools-academy-bid-9062335.html

The judge said: "The secretary of state is entitled to take the view that an academy is preferable and it is clearly a matter for him as he is the decision-maker in that regard.

"But it seems to me he has to have regard to the facts of individual cases, and this is an unusual case. 

"There are these alternatives in place which may well produce necessary improvements."

The judge said Ofsted was due to carry out a further inspection....

"It would in these circumstances arguably be premature for the secretary of state to impose an academy order immediately."

Council officer questions legality of conversion bid

Whitby Gazette: http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/local/education-chief-grills-eskdale-on-academy-idea-1-6328464

"Peter Dwyer, corporate director for Children and Young People’s Services wrote a five page letter to headteacher Sue Whelan earlier this month... (commenting on whether the decision was based on information regarding financial, staffing and curricular implications)... Mr Dwyer said in Eskdale’s case he was compelled to write saying “the consultation document which we have had sight of does not address matters of detail regarding these critical matters.”
"He accuses Eskdale governors of ‘misleading’ parents about gaining academy status and changing the leaving age from 14 to 16 at the same time."

Council wins legal battle to take over Leicester primary school

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-25162289

From BBC: "High Court judge Mrs Justice Thirlwall ruled the authority acted lawfully when it suspended the head teacher and took over the running of Uplands School. She also expressed her dismay at the £80,000 legal bill between the parties."

KBW barristers on free schools

http://www.11kbw.com/knowledge-events/video/opening-a-free-school-tom-ogg

Video

“Free Schools were introduced following the election of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010. The first 24 Free Schools opened in September 2011, and prior to September 2013 there were 81 Free Schools in total. A further 109 were due to open in September 2013 (taking the total to 190), and the Secretary of State for Education has approved a further 102 to open from September 2014.”

Law firm comment on academies setting up overseas fee-paying schools

http://www.law-less-ordinary.co.uk/wordpress/2013/07/31/academy-chains-could-set-up-international-schools/

From the blog of law firm Browne Jacobson by Julian Green: "who specialises in education law advice to schools, academies and colleges including statutory conversions of all types and property issues ranging from easements to development agreements."