In response to an FOI request the Education Funding Agency has said it received 255 loan applications alongside grant applications in its 2015/16 Condition Improvement Fund process. The EFA added that this loan facility could be extended to larger multi-academy trusts (MATs).
Showing posts with label new school finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new school finance. Show all posts
Friday, 13 May 2016
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.'
Friday, 17 January 2014
Why did one audit firm find 70% of sector's unapproved payments?
From the National Audit Office (NAO): http://www.nao.org.uk/report/department-education-education-funding-agency-financial-statements-2012-13/
The majority of the concerns raised by the National Audit Office (NAO) about the consolidated accounts relate to the methodology and assumptions used by the Education Funding Agency (EFA).
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Merton primary to become Harris Academy
From Your Local Guardian: http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/topstories/10912844.Struggling_primary_school_to_become_academy/?ref=var_0
"The Harris Federation is set to sponsor the school's turn around, following a damning report by inspectors that highlighted problems including pupil's failure to make adequate progress in basic subjects including reading, writing and maths.
"Garden Primary will become the borough’s second primary school academy and will join two secondary academies already run by the Harris Federation - Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Morden.
"The Harris Federation is set to sponsor the school's turn around, following a damning report by inspectors that highlighted problems including pupil's failure to make adequate progress in basic subjects including reading, writing and maths.
"Garden Primary will become the borough’s second primary school academy and will join two secondary academies already run by the Harris Federation - Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Morden.
Monday, 6 January 2014
Religious v non-religious: free schools to battle it out in Woking
From Get Surrey: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/new-secondary-schools-go-head-to-head-6444763
The story suggests that only one of two secondary free school bids will be accepted: One bid comes from Hoe Valley Free School (led by Claerwyn Hamilton-Wilkes and other parents - supported by 750 parents) another proposal is for Emmanuel College of the Diocese of Guildford (also a free school or voluntary-aided academy) with Rural Dean of Woking, Rev Cathy Blair as part of the team."
Get Surrey: "Indications over secondary places needed in the next five to 10 years suggest only one of the two schools is likely to gain Department for Education approval when they apply in January."
The story suggests that only one of two secondary free school bids will be accepted: One bid comes from Hoe Valley Free School (led by Claerwyn Hamilton-Wilkes and other parents - supported by 750 parents) another proposal is for Emmanuel College of the Diocese of Guildford (also a free school or voluntary-aided academy) with Rural Dean of Woking, Rev Cathy Blair as part of the team."
Get Surrey: "Indications over secondary places needed in the next five to 10 years suggest only one of the two schools is likely to gain Department for Education approval when they apply in January."
Friday, 3 January 2014
Labour raise petition against Reading free school hospital site
Get Reading: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-campaigners-600-name-petition-fight-6448253
"Labour campaigners have handed over a petition in an attempt to throw out a plan to convert the historic front of the Royal Berkshire Hospital into a new free secondary school.
"The 600-signature petition, which included several Labour councillors, was presented to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) by Reading East prospective parliamentary candidate Matt Rodda and Park ward candidate Matthew Lawrence on Tuesday last week.
"The Department for Education is considering a bid by the Maiden Erlegh Academy Trust with another proposal being prepared by the East Reading Academy Trust.
"The campaign raises concerns about the hospital site, including a lack of outdoor space, road safety and parking, cost of any conversion, damage to the building and loss of hospital facilities."
"Labour campaigners have handed over a petition in an attempt to throw out a plan to convert the historic front of the Royal Berkshire Hospital into a new free secondary school.
"The 600-signature petition, which included several Labour councillors, was presented to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) by Reading East prospective parliamentary candidate Matt Rodda and Park ward candidate Matthew Lawrence on Tuesday last week.
"The Department for Education is considering a bid by the Maiden Erlegh Academy Trust with another proposal being prepared by the East Reading Academy Trust.
"The campaign raises concerns about the hospital site, including a lack of outdoor space, road safety and parking, cost of any conversion, damage to the building and loss of hospital facilities."
Harlow academy bucks weak leadership trend
Harlow Star: http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/News/Harlow-news/Harlow-academys-leadership-is-top-class-20131227083054.htm
"Leadership in schools in the east of England is the weakest of all UK regions but varies hugely throughout the area, according to Ofsted.
Burnt Mill Academy (head: Helena Mills), in First Avenue, was praised by the school inspection body for its “excellent leadership” which “drives improvements” alongside an academy in Norfolk and a primary school near King’s Lynn.
"Leadership in schools in the east of England is the weakest of all UK regions but varies hugely throughout the area, according to Ofsted.
Burnt Mill Academy (head: Helena Mills), in First Avenue, was praised by the school inspection body for its “excellent leadership” which “drives improvements” alongside an academy in Norfolk and a primary school near King’s Lynn.
Government faces more questions about Kings Science fraud investigation
From the Yorkshire Post: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/education/questions-over-call-to-fraud-centre-on-free-school-1-6340644
Shadow Education Minister Kevin Brennan has questioned whether officials were able to fully report the findings of a Department for Education investigation into the Kings Science Academy, in Bradford, with a phonecall.
Shadow Education Minister Kevin Brennan has questioned whether officials were able to fully report the findings of a Department for Education investigation into the Kings Science Academy, in Bradford, with a phonecall.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Sikh free school buys land off NHS Trust at undisclosed price
From Leicester Mercury: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Site-new-Sikh-school-revealed/story-20356979-detail/story.html
"The trust and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which owned the building, remain tight-lipped over its sale price.
"A spokeswoman for the trust said the information was "commercially sensitive".
"The school, due to open in September, 2014, has places for 60 children in each year group and will grow to 420 pupils. Stephen Snelson, current head at Farndon Fields Primary was named as the school's principal this month."
Falcons' Primary School.
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-25547267
"The trust and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which owned the building, remain tight-lipped over its sale price.
"A spokeswoman for the trust said the information was "commercially sensitive".
"The school, due to open in September, 2014, has places for 60 children in each year group and will grow to 420 pupils. Stephen Snelson, current head at Farndon Fields Primary was named as the school's principal this month."
Falcons' Primary School.
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-25547267
Ripon Grammar and academy compliment each other
Northern Echo: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10888750.Two_heads_agree_that_local_parents_have_no_need_to_look_elsewhere/?ref=nt
"Critically, unequivocal support for Outwood Academy Ripon (head: alice hoult) has come from what, in times past, may have been an unexpected quarter. Martin Pearman, headmaster of the Grammar School, says: "Our two schools together are providing outstanding education and we are very fortunate in Ripon to have two good schools - it's an excellent situation to be in.""
"Critically, unequivocal support for Outwood Academy Ripon (head: alice hoult) has come from what, in times past, may have been an unexpected quarter. Martin Pearman, headmaster of the Grammar School, says: "Our two schools together are providing outstanding education and we are very fortunate in Ripon to have two good schools - it's an excellent situation to be in.""
Monday, 9 December 2013
Free school debate in Rutland
http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/local/free-school-just-not-needed-says-rutland-county-college-principal-1-5716291
From the Stamford Mercury: "Rutland County College principal Vicky Crosher and headteacher Carl Smith say their Barleythorpe facility has 300 pupils and 150 leave after taking their A-levels every summer. "They say the college can take 470 pupils in total. Therefore it can take 320 of the 400 pupils who leave the county’s secondary schools every summer meaning there is no need for another sixthform."
From the Stamford Mercury: "Rutland County College principal Vicky Crosher and headteacher Carl Smith say their Barleythorpe facility has 300 pupils and 150 leave after taking their A-levels every summer. "They say the college can take 470 pupils in total. Therefore it can take 320 of the 400 pupils who leave the county’s secondary schools every summer meaning there is no need for another sixthform."
CBI: businesses must give staff time to be academy governors
From FreshBusinessThinking.com: http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/news.php?NID=20891&Title=High+performance+education#.UqW0BWRg5e4
CBI report: http://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2013/11/give-employees-time-off-for-governor-duties-at-academies-and-free-schools/
Neil Carberry, CBI director for employment and skills policy, said: “Handing control over education to schools themselves is the right move. But it can only work if the quality of governing bodies is high and Ofsted holds them to account. We need strong leadership and even stronger governance.
“We must put the right foundations in place to make the most of greater freedom for schools, defaulting to the old ways of doing things is not the answer. And returning to Local Authority control would be a retrograde step.
“It’s such a fundamentally important issue that business is happy to extend the obligation for firms to release staff for governor duties to be widened to academies and free schools.
“We need greater partnership between the Government and businesses to deliver the right structures to lift performance across all our schools — and help every child fulfil their potential.”
CBI report: http://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2013/11/give-employees-time-off-for-governor-duties-at-academies-and-free-schools/
Neil Carberry, CBI director for employment and skills policy, said: “Handing control over education to schools themselves is the right move. But it can only work if the quality of governing bodies is high and Ofsted holds them to account. We need strong leadership and even stronger governance.
“We must put the right foundations in place to make the most of greater freedom for schools, defaulting to the old ways of doing things is not the answer. And returning to Local Authority control would be a retrograde step.
“It’s such a fundamentally important issue that business is happy to extend the obligation for firms to release staff for governor duties to be widened to academies and free schools.
“We need greater partnership between the Government and businesses to deliver the right structures to lift performance across all our schools — and help every child fulfil their potential.”
Free school debate in West Bridgford Nottinghamshire
http://westbridgfordwire.com/2013/11/27/rushcliffe-school-head-teacher-says-free-school-is-unnecessary/
West Bridgford Wire: "Phil Crompton, Head of Rushcliffe School says on the school website: It is frankly infuriating to see another school still wishing to open a Free School in the Rushcliffe catchment area."
West Bridgford Wire: "Phil Crompton, Head of Rushcliffe School says on the school website: It is frankly infuriating to see another school still wishing to open a Free School in the Rushcliffe catchment area."
Wiltshire primaries form trust
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10839190.West_Swindon_schools_join_forces_as_council_cuts_bite/
From This is Wiltshire: "FOUR West Swindon primary schools have banded together as an academy trust this month amid growing concerns about council funding."
From This is Wiltshire: "FOUR West Swindon primary schools have banded together as an academy trust this month amid growing concerns about council funding."
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Gove delaying kent grammar school decision for legal reasons
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2512932/New-super-grammar-break-law-Gove-told-Expansion-stopped-breach-rules-mean-new-grammars-built.html
The Daily Mail said: "If Mr Gove eventually approves the plans it is likely to open the floodgates for similar applications by other local authorities. He will also face accusations from Labour that he is expanding the selective system by the back door and condemning children who fail the 11-plus exam to a second-rate education."
The Daily Mail said: "If Mr Gove eventually approves the plans it is likely to open the floodgates for similar applications by other local authorities. He will also face accusations from Labour that he is expanding the selective system by the back door and condemning children who fail the 11-plus exam to a second-rate education."
Durand Academy boarding school gets £17m
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/michael-gove-hands-school-17m-8959740.html
The Independent reports a "decision to hand the Durand Education Trust £17 million “no questions asked” to set up the new boarding school in the village of Stedham, West Sussex, which will take in secondary school age pupils from Stockwell in south London." The paper says the decision has been questioned by Roy Page, chairman of the State Boarding Schools Association and headmaster of the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, who "will attack ministers for a “lack of vision” as to how they can support existing state boarding schools while handing out millions to “an organisation and headmaster with no experience in boarding”".
The Independent reports a "decision to hand the Durand Education Trust £17 million “no questions asked” to set up the new boarding school in the village of Stedham, West Sussex, which will take in secondary school age pupils from Stockwell in south London." The paper says the decision has been questioned by Roy Page, chairman of the State Boarding Schools Association and headmaster of the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, who "will attack ministers for a “lack of vision” as to how they can support existing state boarding schools while handing out millions to “an organisation and headmaster with no experience in boarding”".
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