From BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24653574
"Checks on inexperienced staff who want to be head teachers at free schools have been scrapped, despite warnings from civil servants.
Candidates without headship experience had been required to attend assessment centres to ensure they were "capable" of "setting up and running" a school.
"The government insists it closely monitors all head teacher appointments.
But a leaked Department for Education document, seen by the BBC and the Guardian, reveals that civil servants were concerned that a lack of checks may lead to unsuitable candidates, referred to as principal designates, being appointed to run schools.
Safety
It says: "Without the Principal Designate Assessment Centres some free school projects may appoint inexperienced principal designates who are not suitable which would significantly undermine the success of the school."
Monday, 28 October 2013
£3 million free school opens with 8 pupils
From Yorkshire Evening Post: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/3m-flagship-leeds-free-school-has-just-eight-pupils-1-6064728
"Campaigners have questioned why the Department for Education has supported a new secondary school with such low numbers in a city facing a major shortage of places in many areas.
"However the Leeds Jewish Free School said its population will rise to 175 over time and that the scheme was providing the city’s Jewish community with the school it has wanted for decades.
"The school is based on the site of the existing Jewish Brodetsky Primary, in Alwoodley, with the same head teacher, Jeremy Dunford. Teaching staff are being brought in from Rodillian Academy to provide secular teaching."
"Campaigners have questioned why the Department for Education has supported a new secondary school with such low numbers in a city facing a major shortage of places in many areas.
"However the Leeds Jewish Free School said its population will rise to 175 over time and that the scheme was providing the city’s Jewish community with the school it has wanted for decades.
"The school is based on the site of the existing Jewish Brodetsky Primary, in Alwoodley, with the same head teacher, Jeremy Dunford. Teaching staff are being brought in from Rodillian Academy to provide secular teaching."
Ofsted forces primaries into becoming academies?
From The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/sep/19/ofsted-inspections-primary-schools-academies
A closer look at claims that Ofsted is playing a part in forcing primary schools into becoming academies - looking at King's Stanley Church of England primary school - based on article why is Ofsted lashing out at schools: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/16/ofsted-lashing-out-against-primary-schools
Also look at: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6348178110570813467#editor/target=post;postID=6661291883304735854;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname
A closer look at claims that Ofsted is playing a part in forcing primary schools into becoming academies - looking at King's Stanley Church of England primary school - based on article why is Ofsted lashing out at schools: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/16/ofsted-lashing-out-against-primary-schools
Also look at: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6348178110570813467#editor/target=post;postID=6661291883304735854;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname
From the Yorkshire Post: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/education/councils-seek-academy-powers-1-6058094
Councils want powers to close down free schools and academies without needing the support of Education Secretary, according to a survey by the LGiU (local government information unit) think-tank and the National Union of Teachers (NUT).
It found that 91 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that local government needs the power to open a new school without “reference to the Secretary of State.”
The majority of those questioned believed councils need to be able to close down, merge or reduce the size an academy or a free school without the approval of Government.
It found that a “middle tier” was required to provide strategic oversight of all schools, including academies and free schools, and that local government was best placed to perform this role.
LGiU think tank chief executive of the think tank Dr Jonathan Carr-West said: “Local authorities have a duty to ensure that there are sufficient and sufficiently diverse school places available to meet the needs of their communities. Too few places and the community is ill served, too many and public resource is wasted. “Failures in school place planning have many and complex causes, but research for this report suggests a correlation with the number of academies: schools in which the local authority has no direct power to increase or decrease the number of places available,” he added.
Councils want powers to close down free schools and academies without needing the support of Education Secretary, according to a survey by the LGiU (local government information unit) think-tank and the National Union of Teachers (NUT).
It found that 91 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that local government needs the power to open a new school without “reference to the Secretary of State.”
The majority of those questioned believed councils need to be able to close down, merge or reduce the size an academy or a free school without the approval of Government.
It found that a “middle tier” was required to provide strategic oversight of all schools, including academies and free schools, and that local government was best placed to perform this role.
LGiU think tank chief executive of the think tank Dr Jonathan Carr-West said: “Local authorities have a duty to ensure that there are sufficient and sufficiently diverse school places available to meet the needs of their communities. Too few places and the community is ill served, too many and public resource is wasted. “Failures in school place planning have many and complex causes, but research for this report suggests a correlation with the number of academies: schools in which the local authority has no direct power to increase or decrease the number of places available,” he added.
Snaresbrook primary forced to become and academy?
From: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10682090.School_could_be_forced_to_become_academy__even_if_governors_reject_proposals_/
A primary school could be forced to become an academy even if governors reject the proposals, it is claimed.
Governor and councillor Chris Cummins said: "Technically it could happen, but if the governors do vote against we will have to present a strong case explaining why and they have to listen to that.
"What the governing body wants to do next is have a meeting with parents to discuss the case for and against and to get a feel for what the parents views are. "My own feeling is that I don't think we should be forced into it if we don't want it."
UPDATE: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/rbnews/10686987.School_becoming_academy__heavy_handed_and_unnecessary___says_MP/
Governor and councillor Chris Cummins said: "Technically it could happen, but if the governors do vote against we will have to present a strong case explaining why and they have to listen to that.
"What the governing body wants to do next is have a meeting with parents to discuss the case for and against and to get a feel for what the parents views are. "My own feeling is that I don't think we should be forced into it if we don't want it."
UPDATE: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/rbnews/10686987.School_becoming_academy__heavy_handed_and_unnecessary___says_MP/
Church of England multi-academy trust in the North West
From: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/education/schools-consult-on-academy-future-1-6061119
"A church school is consulting on converting to become the Fylde coast’s latest academy. St George’s School, Marton, is consulting on becoming a Church of England academy.
A new Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is to be established, called Cidari Education, which St George’s School could join.
Headteacher Dan Berry has said the move is not about “being anti-local authority” but looking at “opportunities” available to the school on Cherry Tree Road. Governors of the school, and its headteacher, have said the consultation is responding to the changes to education.
“The decision to create MAT and to engage with the academies agenda is not about being anti-local authority but is about working positively with the opportunities we are provided with. “We have to recognise the world of education is changing significantly and we have to be actively involved if we are to make the best of these challenges.”
"A church school is consulting on converting to become the Fylde coast’s latest academy. St George’s School, Marton, is consulting on becoming a Church of England academy.
A new Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is to be established, called Cidari Education, which St George’s School could join.
Headteacher Dan Berry has said the move is not about “being anti-local authority” but looking at “opportunities” available to the school on Cherry Tree Road. Governors of the school, and its headteacher, have said the consultation is responding to the changes to education.
“The decision to create MAT and to engage with the academies agenda is not about being anti-local authority but is about working positively with the opportunities we are provided with. “We have to recognise the world of education is changing significantly and we have to be actively involved if we are to make the best of these challenges.”
Cambridgeshire multi academy trust expands
From: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Cambridgeshire-academy-trust-takes-over-another-school-20130917153036.htm#ixzz2iyMuvZYx
One of Cambridgeshire’s top-performing state schools is expanding its academy empire. Comberton Village College is taking Melbourn Village College under its wing as part of the Comberton Academy Trust. Stephen Munday CBE, who is the chief executive of the trust, said: “This is good news for pupils and staff at that village college and will also bring benefit to the other academies in our trust. We will be working together to ensure educational excellence for all pupils in all of our academies.”
One of Cambridgeshire’s top-performing state schools is expanding its academy empire. Comberton Village College is taking Melbourn Village College under its wing as part of the Comberton Academy Trust. Stephen Munday CBE, who is the chief executive of the trust, said: “This is good news for pupils and staff at that village college and will also bring benefit to the other academies in our trust. We will be working together to ensure educational excellence for all pupils in all of our academies.”
Monday, 14 October 2013
UCL-backed academy resits AS after subcontractor liquidation
The Telegraph reports pupils at UCL Academy have to resit AS exams but results have not been published.
UCL Academy opened four months later than expected after a subcontractor went into liquidation. The building was lauded as a school for the future, where classrooms are replaced with "superstudios".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10310582/Majority-of-pupils-forced-to-resit-at-flagship-academy.html
council backs one of rival bids for grammar school with £75,000
Kent on-line reports:
Kent County Council has signed a legal agreement with Valley Invicta Academy Trust in Maidstone. The agreement commits the authority to cover the school’s costs for submitting a formal bid to the Department for Education to sponsor the new grammar annexe planned for Sevenoaks. Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Trudy Dean said: “I do not think it is appropriate to financially support an application from a school independent of the council. The council should not be supporting one school when it has had interest from others.”
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/school-behind-kcc-backed-grammar-bid-6002/
Kent County Council has signed a legal agreement with Valley Invicta Academy Trust in Maidstone. The agreement commits the authority to cover the school’s costs for submitting a formal bid to the Department for Education to sponsor the new grammar annexe planned for Sevenoaks. Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Trudy Dean said: “I do not think it is appropriate to financially support an application from a school independent of the council. The council should not be supporting one school when it has had interest from others.”
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/school-behind-kcc-backed-grammar-bid-6002/
Mark fixing investigation
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
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
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
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