Guardian
reports school headed by Professor Sir George Berwick CBE being investigated for mark fixing
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/sep/14/ravens-wood-school-marks-investigation
Monday, 14 October 2013
New academy = bigger class sizes at existing schools
BBC reports new academy in Devon has led to larger class sizes at existing state school - loss of 11 pupils equivalent to £45,000 per year - David Fitzsimmons, head of Holdsworthy Community College. Joss Glossop, Route 39 Academy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-24093963
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-24093963
PFI adds legal costs to Islamic academy transfer
The Lancashire Telegraph reports:
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s member for schools Dave Harling said: “We don’t have a choice, we have to transfer it over under government rules. “As it is going to happen, we want to work with Witton Park in a positive way. “Because there are Private Finance Inititiave contracts to hand over, the legal costs are more than usual. It is frustrating to have to find £27,000 but the important thing is that every child has access to quality education.”
Plans to transform Witton Park High School into the ‘flagship’ of Blackburn-based Tauheedul Sponsored Academies group, will cost nearly three times as much as the usual £10,000 academy transfer costs.
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/blackburn/10673509.Transfer_of_Blackburn_school_will_cost___27_000/
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s member for schools Dave Harling said: “We don’t have a choice, we have to transfer it over under government rules. “As it is going to happen, we want to work with Witton Park in a positive way. “Because there are Private Finance Inititiave contracts to hand over, the legal costs are more than usual. It is frustrating to have to find £27,000 but the important thing is that every child has access to quality education.”
Plans to transform Witton Park High School into the ‘flagship’ of Blackburn-based Tauheedul Sponsored Academies group, will cost nearly three times as much as the usual £10,000 academy transfer costs.
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/blackburn/10673509.Transfer_of_Blackburn_school_will_cost___27_000/
ARK opens free school in Enfield - longer hours
Enfield Independent reports first intake of pupils and quotes head teacher Jerry Collins
Taking over from the former Albany School, which stood on the site, John Keats is one of 93 new ‘free schools’ being set up by ARK across the country and Mr Collins spoke of the benefits of not only starting a new school from scratch but having children from infants until they are 18. He said: “When you start from the beginning, it’s like starting your own fantasy football team; you can build it up as you want it and we have had tremendous support from ARK. It is a chance to get down into the real nitty gritty of each individual aspect. “What you often see when children change from primary school to secondary school, they go backwards as they familiarise themselves with new teachers, friends and surroundings. However we will already know our students; their strengths and weaknesses and their personalities which gives us a real edge.”
http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/10674484.Ambitious_headteacher_relishing_the_opening_of_new_Enfield_school/
Taking over from the former Albany School, which stood on the site, John Keats is one of 93 new ‘free schools’ being set up by ARK across the country and Mr Collins spoke of the benefits of not only starting a new school from scratch but having children from infants until they are 18. He said: “When you start from the beginning, it’s like starting your own fantasy football team; you can build it up as you want it and we have had tremendous support from ARK. It is a chance to get down into the real nitty gritty of each individual aspect. “What you often see when children change from primary school to secondary school, they go backwards as they familiarise themselves with new teachers, friends and surroundings. However we will already know our students; their strengths and weaknesses and their personalities which gives us a real edge.”
http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/10674484.Ambitious_headteacher_relishing_the_opening_of_new_Enfield_school/
Worcestershire county council to cut IT, financial and HR support to schools
Labour councillor claims the move to cut IT, financial, property and HR support for schools will force them to become academies.
http://www.bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/2013/09/13/news-Rubery-councillor-hits-out-at-county-council-plans-84083.html
http://www.bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/2013/09/13/news-Rubery-councillor-hits-out-at-county-council-plans-84083.html
Local Authorities need to check academies
BBC quotes Ofsted inspector:
(Medway) council said since the government allowed schools to opt out of local education authority control its budget had been slashed by £76m. Senior Ofsted inspector Bradley Simmons said: "You can't just give up and say 'I'm sorry, you're nothing to do with us'. You actually have to be proactive. "Sometimes that's going to mean actually knocking on the door of an academy and saying 'I don't think you're doing well enough, can we help you, can we put you in touch with another school, another academy that's doing better in similar circumstances?'"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-24073519
(Medway) council said since the government allowed schools to opt out of local education authority control its budget had been slashed by £76m. Senior Ofsted inspector Bradley Simmons said: "You can't just give up and say 'I'm sorry, you're nothing to do with us'. You actually have to be proactive. "Sometimes that's going to mean actually knocking on the door of an academy and saying 'I don't think you're doing well enough, can we help you, can we put you in touch with another school, another academy that's doing better in similar circumstances?'"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-24073519
Friday, 13 September 2013
AET shuffle
David Triggs has stepped down as chief executive of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) and Ian Comfort will stand in as interim CEO
http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/echo/10667514.Top_head_quits_role_at_academy_trust/?ref=nt
see:
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/jul/20/education-school-academies-michael-gove
The country's largest taxpayer-funded academy chain, which was recently criticised for its poor performance in managing schools, has paid nearly £500,000 into the private business interests of its trustees and executives.
http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/echo/10667514.Top_head_quits_role_at_academy_trust/?ref=nt
see:
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/jul/20/education-school-academies-michael-gove
The country's largest taxpayer-funded academy chain, which was recently criticised for its poor performance in managing schools, has paid nearly £500,000 into the private business interests of its trustees and executives.
Academy/free school news
A further tranche of 102 free schools has been given permission to open their doors to pupils from next year - 46 of them in London (one in Hackney - City Gateway Hackney): http://www.building.co.uk/gove-approves-102-new-free-schools/5055215.article
Lancashire remains neutral on academies:
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/education/education-chiefs-told-to-leave-schools-alone-1-6042698
Cllr Matthew Tomlinson said: “ The DfE wrote to me again expressing disappointment at the number of academies we have in Lancashire and asking for a meeting. “My view is that there is no need. As far as I am concerned Lancashire schools are doing well and perfectly happy to stay in with the county. “ If they want to meet, I will meet them but I have nothing to say. At the end of the day individual schools decide what they want to do and it is certainly not for us to say they should or shouldn’t become academies. Our job is to support them. “They choose to stay within the control of the county.”
Gove on Bradford:
“I will do everything possible to ensure that I, or another minister, visits Bradford as soon as possible. It is instructive that, in Bradford, politicians of every party – including Respect – apart from Labour, are backing free schools.” http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10664112.Education_Secretary_Michael_Gove_calls_for_free_schools_U_turn/
Nut free academy in the US: http://alhijraacademy.com/al-hijra-is-a-nut-free-school/
Lancashire remains neutral on academies:
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/education/education-chiefs-told-to-leave-schools-alone-1-6042698
Cllr Matthew Tomlinson said: “ The DfE wrote to me again expressing disappointment at the number of academies we have in Lancashire and asking for a meeting. “My view is that there is no need. As far as I am concerned Lancashire schools are doing well and perfectly happy to stay in with the county. “ If they want to meet, I will meet them but I have nothing to say. At the end of the day individual schools decide what they want to do and it is certainly not for us to say they should or shouldn’t become academies. Our job is to support them. “They choose to stay within the control of the county.”
Gove on Bradford:
“I will do everything possible to ensure that I, or another minister, visits Bradford as soon as possible. It is instructive that, in Bradford, politicians of every party – including Respect – apart from Labour, are backing free schools.” http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10664112.Education_Secretary_Michael_Gove_calls_for_free_schools_U_turn/
Nut free academy in the US: http://alhijraacademy.com/al-hijra-is-a-nut-free-school/
Essex multi-academy trust proliferation
http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/schools-staff-sent-improve-performers/story-19785472-detail/story.html#axzz2emWO93MW
Tomorrow (Friday) sees the launch of the county's latest trust set up by Powers Hall Academy in Witham.
Similar trusts have been set up in Wickford, Harlow, Notley, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden and Colchester.
Joe Figg, head teacher of Purleigh Primary School now executive head teacher of Meadgate Primary School – the first venture of the Purleigh Link Academy Trust established this summer - admits the move to set up an academy trust at Purleigh came about when he and the governors were looking for a new challenge after the school was rated outstanding by government inspectors last year.
He told This is Total Essex: "It will be like a mini authority with our own experts in school improvement, behaviour management, financial management, and every other aspect that schools need. It just makes so much sense to pool our resources – this is the way forward."
More detail in This is Total Essex link above
Tomorrow (Friday) sees the launch of the county's latest trust set up by Powers Hall Academy in Witham.
Similar trusts have been set up in Wickford, Harlow, Notley, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden and Colchester.
Joe Figg, head teacher of Purleigh Primary School now executive head teacher of Meadgate Primary School – the first venture of the Purleigh Link Academy Trust established this summer - admits the move to set up an academy trust at Purleigh came about when he and the governors were looking for a new challenge after the school was rated outstanding by government inspectors last year.
He told This is Total Essex: "It will be like a mini authority with our own experts in school improvement, behaviour management, financial management, and every other aspect that schools need. It just makes so much sense to pool our resources – this is the way forward."
More detail in This is Total Essex link above
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Hackney free school given council go ahead
http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2013/09/10/hackney-new-school-planning-application-approved/
From the Hackney Citizen
Hackney New School
Plans for new school buildings were approved at last night’s Hackney Council planning subcommittee meeting despite concerns about overcrowding on the school’s site in De Beauvoir...
http://newschoolfinance.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/independent-93-flavours-of-free-schools.html
From the Hackney Citizen
Hackney New School
Plans for new school buildings were approved at last night’s Hackney Council planning subcommittee meeting despite concerns about overcrowding on the school’s site in De Beauvoir...
http://newschoolfinance.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/independent-93-flavours-of-free-schools.html
Comment and other news
FT: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/5a235bb2-118d-11e3-8321-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2eaKihS5u
Discusses loss of ability to plan from the top down due to independent free schools and academies.
"Critics of the free school reforms argue that since these are demand-led, local authorities and ministers cannot direct the creation of schools where they are most needed. This pitfall is evident in the newest wave of 93 free schools that opened this month. None of the London boroughs most affected by the shortage of places – Barking and Dagenham, Newham and Waltham Forest – have a new primary school on this list."
Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/sep/09/harris-academy-education-news-in-brief
Includes a look at Harris Academies
Teacher training being done in schools rather than university via the School Direct programme
Discusses loss of ability to plan from the top down due to independent free schools and academies.
"Critics of the free school reforms argue that since these are demand-led, local authorities and ministers cannot direct the creation of schools where they are most needed. This pitfall is evident in the newest wave of 93 free schools that opened this month. None of the London boroughs most affected by the shortage of places – Barking and Dagenham, Newham and Waltham Forest – have a new primary school on this list."
Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/sep/09/harris-academy-education-news-in-brief
Includes a look at Harris Academies
Teacher training being done in schools rather than university via the School Direct programme
Kent academy in special measures
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway_messenger/news/grammar-becomes-second-in-britain-5756/
Ofsted inspectors blamed hugely variable teaching and failed leadership for their verdict on Chatham Grammar School for Boys. The official report means the school, which became an academy in 2011, could be shut down if it does not improve. It is now under temporary leadership from the neighbouring Rochester Grammar School, an academy, and has been told not to hire any newly-qualified teachers.
Furness Academy in Barrow, put into special measures in June 2013
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-22999991
BBC: In March, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act found that Furness Academy had the highest number of exclusions among academies in England during the year 2009-10. The academy is due to move into a new £22m building by September.
Ofsted inspectors blamed hugely variable teaching and failed leadership for their verdict on Chatham Grammar School for Boys. The official report means the school, which became an academy in 2011, could be shut down if it does not improve. It is now under temporary leadership from the neighbouring Rochester Grammar School, an academy, and has been told not to hire any newly-qualified teachers.
Furness Academy in Barrow, put into special measures in June 2013
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-22999991
BBC: In March, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act found that Furness Academy had the highest number of exclusions among academies in England during the year 2009-10. The academy is due to move into a new £22m building by September.
Free schools: problem openings
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/education/pupils-miss-start-of-term-as-sunderland-s-first-free-school-fails-to-open-on-time-1-6030827
HUNDREDS of pupils at Sunderland’s first free school will start this year’s term late after a £3million extension wasn’t finished in time. (Grindon Hall Christian School, in Pennywell.)
Parents of more than 500 children who attend the school were told about the decision in a letter. Pupils will now return on Monday, September 23.
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/east_london_science_free_school_opens_with_no_playground_1_2373706
A new free school opened in east London today where the children have to be kept in at break-time because they don’t have a playground, East London Science School is being housed in temporary accommodation.
HUNDREDS of pupils at Sunderland’s first free school will start this year’s term late after a £3million extension wasn’t finished in time. (Grindon Hall Christian School, in Pennywell.)
Parents of more than 500 children who attend the school were told about the decision in a letter. Pupils will now return on Monday, September 23.
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/east_london_science_free_school_opens_with_no_playground_1_2373706
A new free school opened in east London today where the children have to be kept in at break-time because they don’t have a playground, East London Science School is being housed in temporary accommodation.
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Building freedom for academies and free schools
http://www.building.co.uk/two-schools-of-thought/5060248.article
By Richard Hyams
It is ironic that the government that is funding standardised buildings, where the end user is “advised” of their school design, is also the one encouraging free schools, where the end user has ultimate veto on the design. Is this one great big social experiment?
But not much money is being spent per project: http://newschoolfinance.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/free-schools-low-cash-levels-for.html
By Richard Hyams
It is ironic that the government that is funding standardised buildings, where the end user is “advised” of their school design, is also the one encouraging free schools, where the end user has ultimate veto on the design. Is this one great big social experiment?
But not much money is being spent per project: http://newschoolfinance.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/free-schools-low-cash-levels-for.html
Monday, 9 September 2013
Pupils on free school meals can jump admissions queue
Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2415333/Grammar-schools-bribed-ministers-let-poorer-pupils-jump-queue-oversubscribed-places.html
In Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury Grammar, Aylesbury High School and Sir Henry Floyd Grammar are giving priority to children granted free school meals because their families are on benefits or earn less than £16,190.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2415333/Grammar-schools-bribed-ministers-let-poorer-pupils-jump-queue-oversubscribed-places.html
In Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury Grammar, Aylesbury High School and Sir Henry Floyd Grammar are giving priority to children granted free school meals because their families are on benefits or earn less than £16,190.
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