BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24360100
A Muslim free school accused of imposing strict Islamic practices, such as segregated classrooms, has closed following an inspection by Ofsted.
The BBC understands Ofsted's findings were so damning that the acting head of Al-Madinah, in Derby, had little choice but to shut it down immediately.
Interim principal Stuart Wilson said: "Owing to a health and safety issue, I have taken the decision to close the school... until I am confident that all children are safe on site.
Newspaper reports had alleged that girls were forced to sit at the back of the classroom and unnamed female staff members had claimed they were forced to conform to a strict dress code including wearing a head scarf or hijab - whether or not they were Muslim.
Monday, 28 October 2013
£14,000 uniform bill to achieve 'level footing'
From BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-24297494
A school in Essex has spent £14,000 on new uniforms for all its students in an attempt to "raise aspirations".
Ravens Academy in Clacton gave each of its 158 pupils five polo shirts, two jumpers or cardigans, shoes and a book bag following parents' wishes.
The Academy Transformation Trust said it wanted its pupils to have a "level footing" when the ex-Ravenscroft Primary began life as an academy.
Another: http://tyburnmail.com/2013/10/02/greenwood-academy-to-provide-free-school-uniform-for-pupils/
A school in Essex has spent £14,000 on new uniforms for all its students in an attempt to "raise aspirations".
Ravens Academy in Clacton gave each of its 158 pupils five polo shirts, two jumpers or cardigans, shoes and a book bag following parents' wishes.
The Academy Transformation Trust said it wanted its pupils to have a "level footing" when the ex-Ravenscroft Primary began life as an academy.
Another: http://tyburnmail.com/2013/10/02/greenwood-academy-to-provide-free-school-uniform-for-pupils/
Radical Islam in UK schools
IB Times (based on Sunday Times article) Ex MI5 agents investigation radicalisation of schools via governors - http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/509880/20130929/michael-gove-education-islam-muslim-extremist-mi5.htm
Grade inflation claim at Harris Academy
From the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/insider-claims-top-academy-inflated-grades-8846573.html
" A flagship academy is facing allegations that teachers inflated their pupils' GCSE coursework marks in this summer's English exams.
"A complaint against the Harris Academy Beckenham, in south London, has been lodged with the exams regulator Ofqual claiming that there is a "drastic discrepancy" between the grades awarded for coursework marked internally by teachers – especially for the paper's speaking and listening section – and the externally marked written exam at the end of the course."
" A flagship academy is facing allegations that teachers inflated their pupils' GCSE coursework marks in this summer's English exams.
"A complaint against the Harris Academy Beckenham, in south London, has been lodged with the exams regulator Ofqual claiming that there is a "drastic discrepancy" between the grades awarded for coursework marked internally by teachers – especially for the paper's speaking and listening section – and the externally marked written exam at the end of the course."
Academies have no obligation to provide teacher cpd
Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/poll/2013/oct/09/professional-development-schools-poll
Continuous Professional Development CPD: chief executive of the Teacher Development Trust, David Weston, said this lack of regulation has "pulled the rug out from under headteachers". He says that, although maintained schools are required to have five days of training every year, there are no real rules on what they do with this time, and academies need not comply at all.
Continuous Professional Development CPD: chief executive of the Teacher Development Trust, David Weston, said this lack of regulation has "pulled the rug out from under headteachers". He says that, although maintained schools are required to have five days of training every year, there are no real rules on what they do with this time, and academies need not comply at all.
Pimlico free school head quits
Guardian version of Annaliese Briggs resigning from Pimlico primary, sponsored by Future Academies a project set up by junior schools minister Lord Nash.
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/09/free-school-head-no-teaching-qualifications-leaves-job
BBC version: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24466928
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/09/free-school-head-no-teaching-qualifications-leaves-job
BBC version: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24466928
Nottingham - academy heads' high pay questioned
From Nottingham Post: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Heads-Notts-academies-earn-PM/story-19840343-detail/story.html
Financial records for the 2011-12 school year of academies seen by the Post reveal that:
John Tomasevic, chief executive of the Torch Academy Gateway Trust, which runs Toot Hill School in Bingham, was paid between £172,000 and £176,000.
Susan Jowett, executive principal at George Spencer Academy in Stapleford, earned between £170,000 and £175,000.
The highest-earner at the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, which runs Nottingham Academy, in Sneinton, and Nottingham Girls' Academy, received between £190,000 and £200,000.
The amounts include pension contributions.
In comparison, Prime Minister David Cameron is paid £142,500 a year for running the country, while the salary cap for head teachers in state schools is £106,000.
Financial records for the 2011-12 school year of academies seen by the Post reveal that:
John Tomasevic, chief executive of the Torch Academy Gateway Trust, which runs Toot Hill School in Bingham, was paid between £172,000 and £176,000.
Susan Jowett, executive principal at George Spencer Academy in Stapleford, earned between £170,000 and £175,000.
The highest-earner at the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, which runs Nottingham Academy, in Sneinton, and Nottingham Girls' Academy, received between £190,000 and £200,000.
The amounts include pension contributions.
In comparison, Prime Minister David Cameron is paid £142,500 a year for running the country, while the salary cap for head teachers in state schools is £106,000.
Reference: united learning trust does not disclose senior management pay in accounts
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20669621
Martin Rausenbaum, BBC FOI specialist, wrote in December 2012:
Earlier this year United Learning received an FOI request asking for details of the pay and employment packages for its chief executive and other senior management. When it did not supply the information, the requester complained to the Information Commissioner's Office.
United Learning told the Commissioner that its senior management were actually employed and paid by a charity, the United Church Schools Trust. This is a separate but linked charity which is not publicly funded and does not come under FOI.
In a decision released today the Commissioner upheld United Learning's stance that it did not hold the requested information on how much its chief executive and senior management are remunerated. The Commissioner was told that they were not paid out of public funds.
I had hoped to ask United Learning to explain this unusual state of affairs, but the organisation's spokesman told me: "United Learning Trust has no view to express on the case".
Martin Rausenbaum, BBC FOI specialist, wrote in December 2012:
Earlier this year United Learning received an FOI request asking for details of the pay and employment packages for its chief executive and other senior management. When it did not supply the information, the requester complained to the Information Commissioner's Office.
United Learning told the Commissioner that its senior management were actually employed and paid by a charity, the United Church Schools Trust. This is a separate but linked charity which is not publicly funded and does not come under FOI.
In a decision released today the Commissioner upheld United Learning's stance that it did not hold the requested information on how much its chief executive and senior management are remunerated. The Commissioner was told that they were not paid out of public funds.
I had hoped to ask United Learning to explain this unusual state of affairs, but the organisation's spokesman told me: "United Learning Trust has no view to express on the case".
VAT thoughts for academies
From the Nottingham Post: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Academy-schools-given-warning-VAT/story-19840424-detail/story.html
Giles Calverley, business services manager at international accountants and business advisers Mazars in Nottingham, says that where academies do go for registration, large areas of their activities will be not be subject to VAT – such as donations, grants, hire of property and meals provided to students. VAT registration, he stressed, is an option even if the academy does not exceed the threshold – currently £79,000 a year. This is because registration could enable increased VAT recovery on business expenditure and reduced compliance costs.
Giles Calverley, business services manager at international accountants and business advisers Mazars in Nottingham, says that where academies do go for registration, large areas of their activities will be not be subject to VAT – such as donations, grants, hire of property and meals provided to students. VAT registration, he stressed, is an option even if the academy does not exceed the threshold – currently £79,000 a year. This is because registration could enable increased VAT recovery on business expenditure and reduced compliance costs.
Reference: bond aggregator for PF2
From Building.co.uk: http://www.building.co.uk/efa-to-procure-body-to-raise-finance-for-new-schools/5054356.article
The body in charge of delivering the government’s £2.4bn Priority School Building Programme (The EFA) is to look to procure a financial “aggregator” to raise private capital for the schools planned under the PF2 element of the programme. Working with HSBC - Daniel Rudley, deputy director of private finance at the Education Funding Agency
The body in charge of delivering the government’s £2.4bn Priority School Building Programme (The EFA) is to look to procure a financial “aggregator” to raise private capital for the schools planned under the PF2 element of the programme. Working with HSBC - Daniel Rudley, deputy director of private finance at the Education Funding Agency
Hull 'forced' to convert school to academy for excluded pupils
From: http://legacy.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Land-deal-new-free-academy-school-approved/story-19836890-detail/story.html#ixzz2j1xQYOTo
The Aspire Academy Free School is due to open in September next year on the former Isaac Newton School site in Preston Road.
Deputy council leader Councillor Daren Hale said: "It's sad we don't have any choice in the matter but it's still important that we get the best deal possible for the authority and the young people who will be going there."
The Aspire Academy Free School is due to open in September next year on the former Isaac Newton School site in Preston Road.
Deputy council leader Councillor Daren Hale said: "It's sad we don't have any choice in the matter but it's still important that we get the best deal possible for the authority and the young people who will be going there."
Milton Keynes free school for entrepreneurs
From MK News: http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Education/MK-Education/Bid-to-set-up-new-free-school-in-Milton-Keynes-20130923200000.htm#ixzz2j1wQvuhv
Sherry Gladwin said: “It would be a school grounded in Christian ethos, but will not focus on any particular denomination. We want to work with all faiths to strengthen community cohesion. The school would cater for children aged four to 19, with special emphasis on business and enterprise. “We want children to be confident about starting their own business when they leave school."
Sherry Gladwin said: “It would be a school grounded in Christian ethos, but will not focus on any particular denomination. We want to work with all faiths to strengthen community cohesion. The school would cater for children aged four to 19, with special emphasis on business and enterprise. “We want children to be confident about starting their own business when they leave school."
Stephen Twigg on future of academies and free schools
From The Evening Standard: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/stephen-twigg-more-academies-more-freedom--my-plan-to-keep-london-top-of-the-class-8834554.html
"Twigg is clear too about the growing role of chains run by charities and private sector. “There is clearly an important role in the future for chains like Ark and United Learning,” which now respectively run 18 and 25 academies. “I think we have to judge them by evidence, outcomes and results.”"
"Twigg is clear too about the growing role of chains run by charities and private sector. “There is clearly an important role in the future for chains like Ark and United Learning,” which now respectively run 18 and 25 academies. “I think we have to judge them by evidence, outcomes and results.”"
Telegraph's most exclusive state schools
From the Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10322429/State-schools-the-top-50-most-socially-exclusive.html
A table showing which schools are the most exclusive based on the number of pupils on free school meals compared to the average in their catchment areas.
A table showing which schools are the most exclusive based on the number of pupils on free school meals compared to the average in their catchment areas.
Council anti free school squatter conspiracy
From the Islington Tribune: http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2013/oct/ashmount-squatters-are-%E2%80%98not-against-free-school-%E2%80%A6if-it%E2%80%99s-really-free%E2%80%99
"THE Town Hall is being accused of deliberately attempting to scupper a planned free school by removing security at former Ashmount primary in Archway, resulting in more than 100 squatters moving in.
Councillor Joe Caluori, Labour executive member for children and families said: “At a time of severe government funding cuts, the council could not afford to keep paying in the region of £40,000 a year to maintain a vacant building which may well be taken from us by the Department for Education.
"Nor do we wish to have to pay for an eviction action, which can be avoided by the co-operation of those on-site.
“The former Ashmount School site remains vacant because of the spectre of a free school hanging over it.
"Despite having 18,000 people on our housing waiting lists we are not allowed to proceed with plans for affordable housing on the site but instead have to wait for the government to decide whether they intend to give the site to private companies pushing for a free school we neither want nor need.
“We have no need for a new school in the north of the borough, but a desperate need for family homes.”
"THE Town Hall is being accused of deliberately attempting to scupper a planned free school by removing security at former Ashmount primary in Archway, resulting in more than 100 squatters moving in.
Councillor Joe Caluori, Labour executive member for children and families said: “At a time of severe government funding cuts, the council could not afford to keep paying in the region of £40,000 a year to maintain a vacant building which may well be taken from us by the Department for Education.
"Nor do we wish to have to pay for an eviction action, which can be avoided by the co-operation of those on-site.
“The former Ashmount School site remains vacant because of the spectre of a free school hanging over it.
"Despite having 18,000 people on our housing waiting lists we are not allowed to proceed with plans for affordable housing on the site but instead have to wait for the government to decide whether they intend to give the site to private companies pushing for a free school we neither want nor need.
“We have no need for a new school in the north of the borough, but a desperate need for family homes.”
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