Agenda item

This report asks the Panel to consider the implications of the recently published Department for Education White Paper: Educational Excellence Everywhere.

The Chair stated that B&NES has a good record on running schools and a dedicated, talented workforce that provides excellent support to our local schools. She said however, as more schools are incentivized to convert to academies it is inevitable that eventually a critical mass will be reached when it is no longer considered viable for the Council to support the remaining Primary schools.

She said that the Panel do not want to lose the high quality experience and expertise of B&NES Council staff from its local educational service provision.

She added that Councillor Evans is also keen to ensure healthy competition exists between Multi Academy Trusts (MAT) and to avoid a local monopoly forming.

She explained that as an outcome of their pre-meeting the Panel would like help scope the setting up of a partner organisation, similar to Sirona, to act as a MAT for all B&NES primary schools who want to join.

She stated that in order to ensure the scheme is impartially compared against alternatives, she would like to ask officers to begin the process by conducting a SWAT analysis of creating a partner ‘Sirona style’ MAT, a SWAT of undertaking a ‘do nothing’ approach and a SWAT for facilitating a co-operative MAT.

She added that concurrently, she would like officers to sound out the level of interest amongst non-faith based Primary School Heads.

The Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning replied that constructive conversations have taken place with some Primary Heads along these lines and that it was envisaged that they would disseminate this information to colleagues within the area.

Councillor Liz Hardman said that she felt it was wrong for schools to be forced into becoming an Academy especially as there was no evidence to support that standards would improve. She added that she remained concerned over lack of local accountability that leaves the Council powerless to intervene when problems are observed.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities said that a series of meetings with Head Teachers and Governors began last summer. He said that if a school decided to become either a Co-operative Trust or a Charitable Trust this would not be prevent them from joining a MAT.

He urged schools to not get sucked into the marketing behind academisation and to make choices on behalf of their pupils. He said that officers were available to discuss their options.

He added that the team involved with the Chew Valley Educational Trust were doing a fantastic job.

Councillor Karen Warrington asked if it were possible for the Panel to see any documents relating to the Chew Valley Educational Trust.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that he would check and circulate if possible.

Councillor Matt Cochrane asked if officers had any figures to hand relating to schools having become or considering becoming an Academy.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that 11 had already become academies and that 9 were in the process of doing so.

The Chair asked that the Panel meet informally in one month’s time to discuss the matter further and receive the requested analysis from officers.