A list compiled by Janet Downs on Local Schools Network:
http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/12/academy-chains-sent-warning-notices-still-allowed-to-sponsor-more-academies/
The list consists of:
Academies Enterprise Trust (AET); United Learning Trust (ULT); The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT); E-Act.
Monday, 6 January 2014
Oasis Community Learning adds to south Bristol 'cluster'
From the Bristol Post: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/New-school-s-pupils-benefit-links-city-university/story-20382409-detail/story.html
Oasis Community Learning was this month named chosen sponsor for a school to be developed on the former City of Bristol College site in Marksbury Road, Bedminster.
Oasis runs two secondaries it runs in the city – Brightstowe in Shirehampton and John Williams in Hengrove – as well as primaries Connaught in Knowle West, New Oak in Hengrove and Bank Leaze in Lawrence Weston.
John Murphy, national director of academies for Oasis, said: "We are really excited to be growing our cluster of schools in south Bristol."
Oasis Community Learning was this month named chosen sponsor for a school to be developed on the former City of Bristol College site in Marksbury Road, Bedminster.
Oasis runs two secondaries it runs in the city – Brightstowe in Shirehampton and John Williams in Hengrove – as well as primaries Connaught in Knowle West, New Oak in Hengrove and Bank Leaze in Lawrence Weston.
John Murphy, national director of academies for Oasis, said: "We are really excited to be growing our cluster of schools in south Bristol."
CEO of Outwood Grange Academies Trust knighted
Yorkshire Post: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/education/delight-for-ex-miner-mp-and-academies-superhead-1-6343529
"Michael Wilkins, the chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, based in Wakefield, has been given a knighthood for services to education."
"Michael Wilkins, the chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, based in Wakefield, has been given a knighthood for services to education."
New Market free school plans rejected
From Newmarket News (September): http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Newmarket/Team-devastated-Newmarket-Free-School-project-will-not-go-ahead-20130925060001.htm
..."project leader Julie Taylor said the team have dropped the bid as were told by the Department for Education there was “no basic need” for two secondary schools in Newmarket...
"Newmarket College announced last week it will become a sponsored academy in partnership with Samuel Ward Academy, in Haverhill. Principal Dr Bob Cadwalladr said: “I am relieved that we can focus on the future of Newmarket College and our school improvement journey in partnership with the Samuel Ward Academy Trust. Recent events have been divisive and Newmarket College would now very much like to see the whole community, including parents and prospective parents, supporting the College in its improvement measures and working together with us for the benefit of Newmarket’s young people.”
..."project leader Julie Taylor said the team have dropped the bid as were told by the Department for Education there was “no basic need” for two secondary schools in Newmarket...
"Newmarket College announced last week it will become a sponsored academy in partnership with Samuel Ward Academy, in Haverhill. Principal Dr Bob Cadwalladr said: “I am relieved that we can focus on the future of Newmarket College and our school improvement journey in partnership with the Samuel Ward Academy Trust. Recent events have been divisive and Newmarket College would now very much like to see the whole community, including parents and prospective parents, supporting the College in its improvement measures and working together with us for the benefit of Newmarket’s young people.”
Rutland Secondary free school bid
From the Rutland and Stamford Mercury: http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/education/education-news/stamford-free-school-would-be-fantastic-opportunity-1-5780005
"The original proposer group brought the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust on board to lead their bid, which is now ready to submit to the Department for Education. "The trust’s executive principal Mark Woods decided to back the project after seeing an opportunity to give Stamford parents extra choice within their town, rather than having to look further afield."
"The original proposer group brought the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust on board to lead their bid, which is now ready to submit to the Department for Education. "The trust’s executive principal Mark Woods decided to back the project after seeing an opportunity to give Stamford parents extra choice within their town, rather than having to look further afield."
Aspirations academy trust to sponsor Poole primary
Daily Echo:
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10905964.Sponsor_found_for_Poole___s_newest_junior_school_to_be_built_at_former_Fourways_site/?ref=var_6
"The Department for Education (DfE) has announced the Aspirations Academies Trust (AAT) as the sponsor for the proposed new school in central Poole. "AAT, which runs Magna Academy at Canford Heath and the Jewell Academy in Bournemouth, operates 14 schools in Banbury, Fareham, West London and Dorset."
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10905964.Sponsor_found_for_Poole___s_newest_junior_school_to_be_built_at_former_Fourways_site/?ref=var_6
"The Department for Education (DfE) has announced the Aspirations Academies Trust (AAT) as the sponsor for the proposed new school in central Poole. "AAT, which runs Magna Academy at Canford Heath and the Jewell Academy in Bournemouth, operates 14 schools in Banbury, Fareham, West London and Dorset."
Libellous? Free school Vs academy in Thurrock
Your Thurrock: http://www.yourthurrock.com/2013/12/30/free-school-head-slams-woodside-boss-as-grossly-unprofessional-spiteful-and-possibly-libellous/
"Kevin Sadler (Gateway Academy Free School) has fired back at Mr (Ed)Caines (Woodside Academy). He said: “I am depressed by your response to the development of a new school for Tilbury…Your latest outburst if (sic) grossly unprofessional, spiteful and possibly libellous…"
Original letter: http://www.yourthurrock.com/2013/12/17/woodside-academy-head-asks-serious-questions-of-gateway-academy-free-school/
"Kevin Sadler (Gateway Academy Free School) has fired back at Mr (Ed)Caines (Woodside Academy). He said: “I am depressed by your response to the development of a new school for Tilbury…Your latest outburst if (sic) grossly unprofessional, spiteful and possibly libellous…"
Original letter: http://www.yourthurrock.com/2013/12/17/woodside-academy-head-asks-serious-questions-of-gateway-academy-free-school/
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."
Turkish businessman still seeks UK academies
Banbury Guardian: http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/local-news/turkish-tycoon-still-wants-uk-academies-1-5769539
"The Turkish businessman behind a failed bid to sponsor three Banbury area schools in a multi-school academy has declared his intention to continue his commitment to break into British education.
"Enver Yucel has taken out a full page advertisement in the Banbury Guardian – see page 24 – extolling the virtues of his not-for-profit Bahcesehir University in Istanbul.
(He said:) “The BAU group remains willing to commit its significant experience to improve the education of UK school pupils. An academy trust, Mentora, set up in August with the BAU Foundation through a company formed by Mr Yucel and his son, had been introduced to the Warriner, Hornton and Sibford Gower schools by the Department for Education (DfE)...
"The Turkish businessman behind a failed bid to sponsor three Banbury area schools in a multi-school academy has declared his intention to continue his commitment to break into British education.
"Enver Yucel has taken out a full page advertisement in the Banbury Guardian – see page 24 – extolling the virtues of his not-for-profit Bahcesehir University in Istanbul.
(He said:) “The BAU group remains willing to commit its significant experience to improve the education of UK school pupils. An academy trust, Mentora, set up in August with the BAU Foundation through a company formed by Mr Yucel and his son, had been introduced to the Warriner, Hornton and Sibford Gower schools by the Department for Education (DfE)...
Will academies track asbestos threat?
Telegraph and Argus:
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10903506.Asbestos_danger_fears_at_half_of_Bradford_district_s_schools/?ref=var_0
"Almost half of Bradford Council schools still contain potentially-deadly asbestos, new figures reveal. And a teaching union fears that with more schools moving out of local authority control to become academies, efforts to prevent staff and pupils from possible harm could be diluted. The Council has stressed that it keeps a close watch on the management of asbestos in its school buildings but the National Union of Teachers has warned that when schools become academies, there is a risk of losing track of that vital information."
"The UK Asbestos Training Association... claims that 75 per cent of schools in the country still contain asbestos, although in Bradford that figure is lower, with 96 out of 205 Council schools still containing the material."
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10903506.Asbestos_danger_fears_at_half_of_Bradford_district_s_schools/?ref=var_0
"Almost half of Bradford Council schools still contain potentially-deadly asbestos, new figures reveal. And a teaching union fears that with more schools moving out of local authority control to become academies, efforts to prevent staff and pupils from possible harm could be diluted. The Council has stressed that it keeps a close watch on the management of asbestos in its school buildings but the National Union of Teachers has warned that when schools become academies, there is a risk of losing track of that vital information."
"The UK Asbestos Training Association... claims that 75 per cent of schools in the country still contain asbestos, although in Bradford that figure is lower, with 96 out of 205 Council schools still containing the material."
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
Boris over-rules Southwark Council to give free school go ahead
BD online: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/boris-over-rules-council-to-approve-hlms-free-school-project/5065448.article
"The mayor of London has given the go-ahead to HLM’s mixed-use free school project in Bermondsey after it was rejected by the local authority.
"Boris Johnson called in the scheme in August which Southwark council described as overbearing.
It includes two schools on a site at 399 Rotherhithe New Road.
The application was from SCCD Developments.
The council's decision was rejected on the grounds that Southwark is in need of additional primary school places and housing.
"The mayor of London has given the go-ahead to HLM’s mixed-use free school project in Bermondsey after it was rejected by the local authority.
"Boris Johnson called in the scheme in August which Southwark council described as overbearing.
It includes two schools on a site at 399 Rotherhithe New Road.
The application was from SCCD Developments.
The council's decision was rejected on the grounds that Southwark is in need of additional primary school places and housing.
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
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