Northern Echo: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10888750.Two_heads_agree_that_local_parents_have_no_need_to_look_elsewhere/?ref=nt
"Critically, unequivocal support for Outwood Academy Ripon (head: alice hoult) has come from what, in times past, may have been an unexpected quarter. Martin Pearman, headmaster of the Grammar School, says: "Our two schools together are providing outstanding education and we are very fortunate in Ripon to have two good schools - it's an excellent situation to be in.""
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Al-Madinah visits a Greenwood Dale school
Nottingham Post: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Academy-help-struggling-school/story-20360854-detail/story.html
The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust is looking to help out at Al-Madinah Free School. A visit was arranged for people from Al-Madinah Free School to visit Nottingham Academy, in Sneinton, one of many run by the trust.
The trust's chief executive, Barry Day, has produced action and leadership plans that have been accepted by Ofsted. And he says he is willing to allow some of his senior staff to work with the school in the next few months to bring about change. Mr Day was invited by the Government to become involved with the school three weeks ago.
The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust is looking to help out at Al-Madinah Free School. A visit was arranged for people from Al-Madinah Free School to visit Nottingham Academy, in Sneinton, one of many run by the trust.
The trust's chief executive, Barry Day, has produced action and leadership plans that have been accepted by Ofsted. And he says he is willing to allow some of his senior staff to work with the school in the next few months to bring about change. Mr Day was invited by the Government to become involved with the school three weeks ago.
Wakefield academy wants sixth form free school, educationalist not industrialist
Wakefield Express: http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/local-news/city-s-first-free-school-will-be-different-to-all-the-others-1-6335146
"The Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) will submit an application to the department for education in the New Year for a new school for 16 to 19-year-olds.
"The WCAT already runs Wakefield City Academy....
"The Eastmoor school has always wanted a sixth form, but cannot extend its age range because of Department for Education rules. The free school is a way around that – and although Mr Alan Yellup admits he has always been a critic of this type of school, he claimed this one will be different. He added: “Many have been set up by industrialists and business people, not educationists. Ours will be set up by successful educationists and staffed by fully-qualified teachers.”
"The Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) will submit an application to the department for education in the New Year for a new school for 16 to 19-year-olds.
"The WCAT already runs Wakefield City Academy....
"The Eastmoor school has always wanted a sixth form, but cannot extend its age range because of Department for Education rules. The free school is a way around that – and although Mr Alan Yellup admits he has always been a critic of this type of school, he claimed this one will be different. He added: “Many have been set up by industrialists and business people, not educationists. Ours will be set up by successful educationists and staffed by fully-qualified teachers.”
650 parents support Rutland sixth form free school
Rutland and Stamford Mercury: http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/local/free-school-plan-for-rutland-is-backed-by-650-parents-1-5769914
More than 650 parents have said they would choose Harington School as their first choice sixthform provision for their children if plans are given the go-ahead.
Catmose College (head: Stuart Williams) and Uppingham Community College believe a new sixthform provision is needed because there is only one state-run post-16 college in the county, Rutland County College.
Rutland County College principal Vicky Crosher and headteacher Carl Smith believe there is no need for the free school as their facility can meet the demand in numbers of students looking to study at A-levels in Rutland.
More than 650 parents have said they would choose Harington School as their first choice sixthform provision for their children if plans are given the go-ahead.
Catmose College (head: Stuart Williams) and Uppingham Community College believe a new sixthform provision is needed because there is only one state-run post-16 college in the county, Rutland County College.
Rutland County College principal Vicky Crosher and headteacher Carl Smith believe there is no need for the free school as their facility can meet the demand in numbers of students looking to study at A-levels in Rutland.
FOI: 1in 40 free school teachers are unqualified
Belfast Telegraph: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/unqualified-teacher-figure-revealed-29867538.html
"Around one in 40 teachers in mainstream free schools are unqualified, figures released to the Press Association under the Freedom of Information Act showed. But the figures varied widely from school to school, with many only hiring qualified teachers while at others more than three quarters of their teachers were unqualified."
26 of the 1,029 teachers did not hold qualified teacher status (QTS), excluding those teachers who qualified overseas and those who were trainees.
Individual cases included Trinity School in Sevenoaks, Kent, which opened in September this year, said seven of its nine teachers were unqualified. At Discovery New School in Crawley, West Sussex, which was ordered to close its doors on April 4 earlier this month (DEC), five of the school's seven teachers were unqualified, the figures showed.
"Around one in 40 teachers in mainstream free schools are unqualified, figures released to the Press Association under the Freedom of Information Act showed. But the figures varied widely from school to school, with many only hiring qualified teachers while at others more than three quarters of their teachers were unqualified."
26 of the 1,029 teachers did not hold qualified teacher status (QTS), excluding those teachers who qualified overseas and those who were trainees.
Individual cases included Trinity School in Sevenoaks, Kent, which opened in September this year, said seven of its nine teachers were unqualified. At Discovery New School in Crawley, West Sussex, which was ordered to close its doors on April 4 earlier this month (DEC), five of the school's seven teachers were unqualified, the figures showed.
Somerset school converts to academy after climbing out of special measures
This is the West Country: http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/somerset_news/10895874.Academy_status_marks_new_era_at_Court_Fields_School_in_Wellington/?ref=nt
"On January 1, the Wellington school will become a part of The Castle Partnership Trust, working with The Castle School, in Taunton.
"It is part of a plan to continue the school’s steady improvement, which climbed out of special measures in October, 11 months after being rated ‘inadequate’ by OFSTED.
"Sarah Watson, head teacher at The Castle School, will become executive head and oversee both schools, while Ms Bennett will remain in charge of the day-to-day running of Court Fields."
"On January 1, the Wellington school will become a part of The Castle Partnership Trust, working with The Castle School, in Taunton.
"It is part of a plan to continue the school’s steady improvement, which climbed out of special measures in October, 11 months after being rated ‘inadequate’ by OFSTED.
"Sarah Watson, head teacher at The Castle School, will become executive head and oversee both schools, while Ms Bennett will remain in charge of the day-to-day running of Court Fields."
Pay and conditions changes proposed by Gove
Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2527902/Schools-open-6pm-51-weeks-year-Gove-pushes-flexitime.html
"Education Secretary Michael Gove wants to give schools more powers over the working hours available to teachers as well as holidays and pay."
This was done via a submission to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB)
He cited The David Young Community Academy in Leeds which "operates a seven-term year starting in June, with a maximum of six weeks at school followed by a maximum of four weeks’ holiday."
He also pointed out: "All ARK schools operate a longer school day: at secondary level, ARK schools are open from 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am-3pm on Fridays, providing 31 hours teaching per week." Also Free School Norwich.
"Education Secretary Michael Gove wants to give schools more powers over the working hours available to teachers as well as holidays and pay."
This was done via a submission to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB)
He cited The David Young Community Academy in Leeds which "operates a seven-term year starting in June, with a maximum of six weeks at school followed by a maximum of four weeks’ holiday."
He also pointed out: "All ARK schools operate a longer school day: at secondary level, ARK schools are open from 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am-3pm on Fridays, providing 31 hours teaching per week." Also Free School Norwich.
Nottingham MP wants 20-year plan for failing schools
Nottingham Post: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Schools-team-needs-plan-20-years/story-20356943-detail/story.html
MP Graham Allen wants struggling schools to adopt a 20-year strategy. A number of Nottingham secondary schools and academies have been judged "inadequate" by Ofsted, five of them – Ellis Guilford, Bulwell Academy, Hadden Park High, Nottingham University Samworth Academy and Big Wood School – are in Mr Allen's constituency.
He said: "I would ask the board to adopt a strategy that firstly sets out what needs to be done immediately but secondly commits to a well thought-out 20-year plan to tackle the deep-rooted causes of underachievement and give the gift of school readiness to a generation of children."
Monday, 23 December 2013
Lilac Sky Academy Trust to sponsor East Sussex academies
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-25435975
"Lilac Sky, based in Chelmsford, Essex, will manage academies to be built in Hailsham and Newhaven. East Sussex County Council successfully applied to the government's Education Funding Agency for extra funding for the academies."
"Lilac Sky, based in Chelmsford, Essex, will manage academies to be built in Hailsham and Newhaven. East Sussex County Council successfully applied to the government's Education Funding Agency for extra funding for the academies."
£900k first term for Durham free school
The Northern Echo: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/durham/10890219.Near___1m_cost_of_Durham_free_school_s_first_term_a_waste_of_public_money___MP/
"A CONTROVERSIAL free school’s first term has cost the taxpayer nearly £900,000 – or more than £25,000 per pupil, new figures reveal. In a letter to Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, Tory Schools Minister Lord Nash says Durham Free School (DFS) has received funding of £894,787, prompting the Labour MP to brand the school a waste of public money.
"Durham Free School funding included £313,114 in a general annual grant, £300,000 in pre-opening grant, £140,000 in post-opening grants and £127,500 in capital costs.
"A CONTROVERSIAL free school’s first term has cost the taxpayer nearly £900,000 – or more than £25,000 per pupil, new figures reveal. In a letter to Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, Tory Schools Minister Lord Nash says Durham Free School (DFS) has received funding of £894,787, prompting the Labour MP to brand the school a waste of public money.
"Durham Free School funding included £313,114 in a general annual grant, £300,000 in pre-opening grant, £140,000 in post-opening grants and £127,500 in capital costs.
Council officer questions legality of conversion bid
Whitby Gazette: http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/local/education-chief-grills-eskdale-on-academy-idea-1-6328464
"Peter Dwyer, corporate director for Children and Young People’s Services wrote a five page letter to headteacher Sue Whelan earlier this month... (commenting on whether the decision was based on information regarding financial, staffing and curricular implications)... Mr Dwyer said in Eskdale’s case he was compelled to write saying “the consultation document which we have had sight of does not address matters of detail regarding these critical matters.”
"He accuses Eskdale governors of ‘misleading’ parents about gaining academy status and changing the leaving age from 14 to 16 at the same time."
"Peter Dwyer, corporate director for Children and Young People’s Services wrote a five page letter to headteacher Sue Whelan earlier this month... (commenting on whether the decision was based on information regarding financial, staffing and curricular implications)... Mr Dwyer said in Eskdale’s case he was compelled to write saying “the consultation document which we have had sight of does not address matters of detail regarding these critical matters.”
"He accuses Eskdale governors of ‘misleading’ parents about gaining academy status and changing the leaving age from 14 to 16 at the same time."
Cornwall's largest secondary and primary form multi-academy trust
This is Cornwall: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Secondary-school-primary-join/story-20331842-detail/story.html#axzz2oISQeIsi
CORNWALL'S largest secondary school and primary school will join forces next year... Newquay Tretherras Academy and Newquay Junior Academy, which have around 1,650 and 550 pupils respectively, will operate as a multi-academy trust (MAT) from April 1. (Newquay Education Trust)
Headteacher of Tretherras, Sue Martin, said: "Schools need to get into these types of partnerships with funding the way it is going and education policy often being decided at a local level. It's a practical and pragmatic solution and lots of schools, particularly in Cornwall, are looking to form trusts and partnerships where they can share costs."
CORNWALL'S largest secondary school and primary school will join forces next year... Newquay Tretherras Academy and Newquay Junior Academy, which have around 1,650 and 550 pupils respectively, will operate as a multi-academy trust (MAT) from April 1. (Newquay Education Trust)
Headteacher of Tretherras, Sue Martin, said: "Schools need to get into these types of partnerships with funding the way it is going and education policy often being decided at a local level. It's a practical and pragmatic solution and lots of schools, particularly in Cornwall, are looking to form trusts and partnerships where they can share costs."
Galloway calls commoms debate on when academy heads should resign
George Galloway: http://www.georgegalloway.net/2013/12/mp-calls-for-kings-free-school.html
George Galloway has submitted a motion for debating whether academy heads under investigation should resign. He mentions Sajid Raza of Kings Science Academy in Bradford and Greg Wallace, former academy 'superhead' in Hackney.
George Galloway has submitted a motion for debating whether academy heads under investigation should resign. He mentions Sajid Raza of Kings Science Academy in Bradford and Greg Wallace, former academy 'superhead' in Hackney.
EFA provides cash to build Kingston free school
Your Local Guardian: http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10892670.Government_finally_stumps_up_cash_for_North_Kingston_secondary_school/ (Useful timeline provided in the story)
"Graham Willett, of Education Kingston - the consortium of Kingston Council, Kingston College and Kingston University which will run the free school - said: "We are delighted the EFA are supporting our school with an amount of money that will ensure an outstanding physical environment for teaching and learning."
"The funding for the school has been hanging in the balance since the coalition Government took over and education secretary Michael Gove scrapped the Building Schools for the Future programme which would have provided money."
(Useful timeline provided in the story)
"Graham Willett, of Education Kingston - the consortium of Kingston Council, Kingston College and Kingston University which will run the free school - said: "We are delighted the EFA are supporting our school with an amount of money that will ensure an outstanding physical environment for teaching and learning."
"The funding for the school has been hanging in the balance since the coalition Government took over and education secretary Michael Gove scrapped the Building Schools for the Future programme which would have provided money."
(Useful timeline provided in the story)
Lincoln primary converts despite 'decreased funding incentives'
Sleaford Standard: http://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/education/education-news/village-school-switches-to-be-an-academy-1-5763794
Headteacher Katie Bartle said that although funding incentives had decreased, the benefits of greater autonomy and being in control of their own destiny and finances outweighed staying in local authority control. They could get best value for money for securing services with longer-term improvements to what can be offered at the school.
Sleaford Standard: "The change came into effect on December 1 and means that they will be joining the William Alvey, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Ruskington Chestnut Street and Rauceby primary schools as academies that serve the Sleaford area."
Education speaker/ award: http://www.theguardian.com/innovation-education/speakers-2012
Headteacher Katie Bartle said that although funding incentives had decreased, the benefits of greater autonomy and being in control of their own destiny and finances outweighed staying in local authority control. They could get best value for money for securing services with longer-term improvements to what can be offered at the school.
Sleaford Standard: "The change came into effect on December 1 and means that they will be joining the William Alvey, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Ruskington Chestnut Street and Rauceby primary schools as academies that serve the Sleaford area."
Education speaker/ award: http://www.theguardian.com/innovation-education/speakers-2012
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