It is believed that NUT members at STEM Academy Tech City are looking at proposals that could see the strike suspended later today as more detailed talks between the union and the school's management continue.
Last week the strike went ahead as the NUT and school managers fell out
From the TES: http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/05/teachers-in-first-free-school-strike-over-plans-for-quot-zero-hours-quot-contacts.aspx
Monday, 10 February 2014
Primary School moves... free school moves in
From the Islington Gazette:
http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/hornsey_rise_free_school_set_for_ashmount_site_is_already_oversubscribed_say_dfe_1_3286610
'Whitehall Park Free School looks set to open at the former Ashmount Primary School site, in Hornsey Lane...' (Ashmount Primary was moved to Crouch Hill).
http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/hornsey_rise_free_school_set_for_ashmount_site_is_already_oversubscribed_say_dfe_1_3286610
'Whitehall Park Free School looks set to open at the former Ashmount Primary School site, in Hornsey Lane...' (Ashmount Primary was moved to Crouch Hill).
Friday, 7 February 2014
TES: free school outsources teaching
From the TES: http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/05/free-school-outsources-teaching-to-private-firm.aspx
'Sandymoor School in Runcorn has entered into a contract with Liverpool-based firm, Educate Me, to deliver two BTEC qualifications in sport and exercise science and enterprise and entrepreneurship.'
'Sandymoor School in Runcorn has entered into a contract with Liverpool-based firm, Educate Me, to deliver two BTEC qualifications in sport and exercise science and enterprise and entrepreneurship.'
AET hires public affairs firm following DfE advice on communications
From New School Finance:
A spokesman for AET said: 'AET was asked by the DfE to ensure that our communications with MPs and other stakeholders were up to speed; taking on external support was the most cost effective way to do that.'
A spokesman for AET said: 'AET was asked by the DfE to ensure that our communications with MPs and other stakeholders were up to speed; taking on external support was the most cost effective way to do that.'
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Approved free school axed due to lack of interest
From This is Local London: http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/10992138.Academy_axed_as_bosses_say_no_need_for_extra_school/
'Oasis Community Learning... (DfE approved) plans to open the Oasis Community School Walthamstow were axed because of insufficient demand for secondary school places...'
'Oasis Community Learning... (DfE approved) plans to open the Oasis Community School Walthamstow were axed because of insufficient demand for secondary school places...'
School's £430k deficit: academies or demographics to blame?
From Norfolk EDP:
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/falling_pupil_numbers_leave_norwich_school_facing_430_000_deficit_1_3281394
'Rob Anthony, associate headteacher at the Hewett School said: 'The Hewett School has a budget deficit which was caused by a falling number of secondary age pupils in Norwich over a nine year period.'
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/falling_pupil_numbers_leave_norwich_school_facing_430_000_deficit_1_3281394
'Rob Anthony, associate headteacher at the Hewett School said: 'The Hewett School has a budget deficit which was caused by a falling number of secondary age pupils in Norwich over a nine year period.'
Faith cap limits Catholic investment in academies and free schools
From the TES: http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/04/catholics-cannot-invest-in-free-schools-and-academies-if-50-per-cent-faith-admissions-stays-says-mp.aspx
Mark Hoban, MP said: “Unfortunately, there is a cap on faith-based admissions, which inhibits the willingness of Catholics to sponsor a new academy or free school, and therefore limits the diversity of academies or free schools”
Mark Hoban, MP said: “Unfortunately, there is a cap on faith-based admissions, which inhibits the willingness of Catholics to sponsor a new academy or free school, and therefore limits the diversity of academies or free schools”
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
'Unprecedented' finances may stand in way of Leicester converter
From the Leicester Mercury: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Rushey-Mead-school-academy/story-20563941-detail/story.html
Councillor Vi Dempster said: (I)'can only think that the governors (of Rushey Mead School, Leicester) believe that the Department for Education (DofE) will underwrite all costs after conversion (governors voted to convert this week).
Councillor Vi Dempster said: (I)'can only think that the governors (of Rushey Mead School, Leicester) believe that the Department for Education (DofE) will underwrite all costs after conversion (governors voted to convert this week).
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Standards committee probes new models of public service delivery
From the Local Government Lawyer: http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17105:standards-watchdog-to-review-risks-from-new-models-of-service-delivery&catid=59&Itemid=27
The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) is to commission independent research on the risks created by the development of new models of public service delivery.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) is to commission independent research on the risks created by the development of new models of public service delivery.
Mouchel investigates suspended six-school trust head
From Spalding Today: http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/education/head-suspended-in-misconduct-probe-1-5849056?WT.mc_id=Outbrain_text&obref=obinsite
Carol Clare, chief executive officer (CEO) and principal of The Phoenix Family of Schools (PFOS) was suspended last week after an allegation was “anonymously raised” with the federation’s senior management.
Carol Clare, chief executive officer (CEO) and principal of The Phoenix Family of Schools (PFOS) was suspended last week after an allegation was “anonymously raised” with the federation’s senior management.
(UPDATE on closure) Discovery Free School not able to meet its financial commitments
UPDATE from the BBC (April 4 2014): Discovery Free School shut down
This is from the DfE's investigation reports:
http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/executiveagencies/efa/efafundingfinance/b00212647/external-assurance/academiesfraud-/investigation-reports
The investigation document (published in October 2013) included theses paragraphs:
'The Trust does not monitor cash flow, does not have an approved budget for 2013-14 and has not developed an up to date long term financial plan. There is a significant risk that the school may not be able to meet its financial obligations and may not represent a going concern.
This is from the DfE's investigation reports:
http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/executiveagencies/efa/efafundingfinance/b00212647/external-assurance/academiesfraud-/investigation-reports
The investigation document (published in October 2013) included theses paragraphs:
'The Trust does not monitor cash flow, does not have an approved budget for 2013-14 and has not developed an up to date long term financial plan. There is a significant risk that the school may not be able to meet its financial obligations and may not represent a going concern.
Lack of experience was a real problem for free school founders
From This is Wiltshire:
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10981592.School_campaigner_backs_college_plan/
Kevin Gray (who was trying to win backing for a free school bid but is now backing another bid) said: “The reality is we can’t compete with New College which has so much more experience behind it.
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10981592.School_campaigner_backs_college_plan/
Kevin Gray (who was trying to win backing for a free school bid but is now backing another bid) said: “The reality is we can’t compete with New College which has so much more experience behind it.
AET responds to concerns about its proposed joint venture
From AET: http://www.academiesenterprisetrust.org/page/support-services-%E2%80%93-notice-regarding-possible-joint-venture
Below are a couple of quotes from the longer press release. Amongst others, AET may outsource finance and data staff too.
Below are a couple of quotes from the longer press release. Amongst others, AET may outsource finance and data staff too.
Monday, 3 February 2014
Chris Woodhead opens private school in Islington
From the Islington Gazette: http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/crime-courts/opening_of_controversial_canonbury_private_school_moves_closer_1_3259974
'In November the Gazette revealed the company behind the school (North Bridge House Senior, Canonbury), Cognita, is run by Chris Woodhead...
'...has been mired in controversy since it was announced, with many people angry it will be able to open without applying to the town hall to become a school – its current legal use is as a conference centre.'
'In November the Gazette revealed the company behind the school (North Bridge House Senior, Canonbury), Cognita, is run by Chris Woodhead...
'...has been mired in controversy since it was announced, with many people angry it will be able to open without applying to the town hall to become a school – its current legal use is as a conference centre.'
Michael Gove's decision to replace Sally Morgan as Chair of Ofsted
From the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/exclusive-michael-gove-sacks-ofsted-chief-baroness-sally-morgan-9100273.html
'The outgoing chair of Ofsted Baroness Sally Morgan has accused David Cameron of trying to purge non-Conservatives from public bodies after The Independent revealed that Michael Gove would not be renewing the Labour peer's term as head of the schools inspectorate.'
The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/01/michael-gove-ofsted-chair-baroness-morgan
From the Daily Telegraph: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100257672/michael-gove-sacks-baroness-sally-morgan-who-is-she-who-cares/
From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26004358
'The outgoing chair of Ofsted Baroness Sally Morgan has accused David Cameron of trying to purge non-Conservatives from public bodies after The Independent revealed that Michael Gove would not be renewing the Labour peer's term as head of the schools inspectorate.'
The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/01/michael-gove-ofsted-chair-baroness-morgan
From the Daily Telegraph: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100257672/michael-gove-sacks-baroness-sally-morgan-who-is-she-who-cares/
From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26004358
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