Mandarin bi-lingual free school gets approval

From Barnet Today: http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=3652&headline=Mandarin%20language%20academy%20given%20go-ahead%20by%20Gove

A proposed bi-lingual free school school has moved into a “pre-opening phase” after getting approval from Education Secretary, Michael Gove.

Catholic academy criticises 'Catholic tax' by local authority

From the Christian Today: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bradford.plans.to.tax.faith.schools.say.catholics/35655.htm

'The chairwoman of The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust, Caroline Hyde, has written to Bradford Council, claiming that families will suffer "financial difficulties". The Trust runs six schools in the county.

Deputy head moves from Academies Transformation Trust to International English Schools

From the EDP: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/long_serving_iceni_academy_deputy_head_lands_ies_breckland_top_job_1_3262169


'Alison Tilbrook, deputy headteacher at Iceni Academy (Academies Transformation Trust) in Methwold, is due to join IES Breckland Free School in Brandon on Monday...

Nottingham free school plans rejected by DfE

From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-25975767


'The Newark School of Enterprise would have been led by Andrew Cutts-McKay the former head of the troubled Al-Madinah free school in Derby.

The Department for Education (DfE) said the school could not "reach the high bar" set out by ministers.

AET to set up a subsidary for £200-£400m service contracts

From the TES: http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/01/31/england-39-s-biggest-academy-chain-to-bring-in-private-sector-to-run-schools.aspx

From Unison: https://www.unison.org.uk/news/unprecedented-school-privatisation-would-put-profits-before-pupils

'The seven-year contract, estimated to be worth between £200m and £400m, is likely to affect at least 500 staff across 80 schools.

Financial concerns dog Al-Madinah

From the Derby Telegraph: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Founding-trustees-resign-Derby-s-Al-Madinah/story-20531026-detail/story.html

'Investigations into the finances of the schools are still ongoing by the Department for Education and also the Education Funding Agency...

Manchester free school submits plans for new building

From Manchester Evening News: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ancoats-new-islington-free-school-6649763

'New Islington Free School opened on a temporary site on Jersey Street, Ancoats, last September but is hoping to move to a new purpose-built home on derelict land less than half a mile away.'

Hackney head says change status before choices are cut

From the Hackney Citizen: http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2014/01/31/northwold-primary-school-academy-application/

The Hackney Citizen reported: 'Headteacher Alison Kriel said: “We know that there is a general election coming up and all political parties have said they are going to keep the academies programme in place (but) ... fewer and fewer opportunities for schools to decide for themselves what kind of academy they want to be”, adding: “That’s why we decided we want to be proactive and decide for ourselves.”

Accuracy check could delay forced academy

From the Bolton News: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/NEWS/10976114.Gorsefield_Primary_School_awaits_government_s_academy_decision/

'Gorsefield Primary School in Robertson Street has been placed in special measures after government education watchdogs inspected the establishment last November.'

Financial reasons for state boarding school to seek academy status

From the Surrey Mirror: http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/Reigate-school-considers-academy/story-20522466-detail/story.html

'...the Gatton Park state boarding school, which has junior, senior and sixth form sections, says its grant from central government could increase by about £140,000 per year if it took the step – although, as an academy, it would take responsibility for a number of roles currently handled by Surrey County Council.

Parliamentary debate: Reading LEA and school inspections

From They Work For You: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2014-01-29a.287.0&s=academies#g294.1


Rob Wilson MP:
'Earlier this year, the Minister wrote to Reading LEA, challenging it over the gap that has developed between rich and poor children’s performances, despite the huge Government investment through the pupil premium.

Fulham primary survives for another round

From Get West London: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/lifeline-sulivan-school-council-committee-6645458

Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Conservative cabinet voted on Monday last week to close the award-winning Sulivan Primary School and amalgamate it with nearby New Kings School'... but ...

Places shortage trumps parking problems for Watford Free school

From the Watford Observer: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10975138.Primary_school_plans_recommended_for_approval_despite_parking_concerns/

'Plans... have been recommended for approval despite serious concerns being raised by police and traffic officials.'

Altrincham private school bids to become a free school

From the Messenger: http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/10972721.North_Cestrian_launches_first____free_school____application_in_Trafford/

ALTRINCHAM’S North Cestrian Grammar School is set to end its private status, opening the door to non fee-paying students.

Guardian: Chains fail to meet government targets

From the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jan/29/academy-schools-gcse-target

This story looks at GCSE results stripping out equivalent qualifications to standard GCSEs, such as BTecs. The original work was done by Local Schools Network which opposes free schools and academies: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/05/the-academies-illusion-what-the-data-reveals/