Twenty leaders have been appointed to the Department for Education’s new academy trust CEO advisory group.
Among the names are leaders of the biggest academy trusts – including Sir Jon Coles of United Learning, Lift’s Becks Boomer-Clark, Ark’s Lucy Heller and Sir Hamid Patel of Star Academies.
Other figures appointed include John Barneby of Oasis, Cathie Paine of REAch2 and Tom Rees of Ormiston.
On average, the CEOs on the group run 36 schools. Twelve of them have more than 30 academies on their books, while only one, Susan Douglas of the Eden Academy, has less than 10.
The four largest trusts – United Learning, REAch2, Delta and Lift – are all represented.
Where are the CEOs’ schools?
Seven (35 per cent) of those selected to join the group are women. Schools Week’s latest CEO diversity audit of trusts with 15 or more schools revealed 35 per cent of the top jobs.
Our analysis suggests 18 per cent of the CEOs’ academies are based in Yorkshire and the Humber, more than any other area. Nationally, 12 per cent of trust-run schools are based in the region.
It is followed by the west Midlands (15 per cent), east of England and London (both 13 per cent).
Just 4 per cent of the leaders’ schools are in the east Midlands, the region with the lowest representation, even though it accounts for 11 per cent of all academies.
The group, formed at the request of schools minister Catherine McKinnell, is due to meet for the first time next week.
Transparency concerns
In a recent briefing for members the Confederation of School Trusts, which is supporting the group, said it was “established to continue the government’s engagement with the sector and will provide a forum for meaningful discussions on matters relating to the achieving and thriving pillar of the opportunity mission.
The organisation said it was “pleased to contribute to this group”, and that it would “ensure that the wider views of membership are represented through our contribution to the group”.
DfE refused to say how the members were selected. However, two leaders said they did not apply and instead received emails inviting them to join.
A trust boss not named in the group argued the lack of transparency could leave it open to criticisms that it’s part of an “old boys’ or old girls’ network”.
“It undermines the, I’m sure, laudable work they’ll go on and do if we don’t understand that,” they said.
“It would have been nice to know this has been created, understand its place within the consultative frame for government and knowing how people could nominate themselves or would be nominated to be on it.”
It follows criticism of the Labour administration for a lack of engagement with the trust sector before the release of its schools bill, which seeks to wind back many academy freedoms.
The membership
- Jennese Alozie, University of Chichester Academy Trust
- John Barneby, Oasis Community Learning
- Becks Boomer-Clark, Lift Schools
- Tom Campbell, E-ACT
- Zoe Carr, WISE Academies
- Sir Jon Coles, United Learning
- Dr Tim Coulson, Unity Schools Partnership
- Susan Douglas, the Eden Academy Trust
- Lucy Heller, Ark Schools
- Tom Leverage, Our Lady of the Magnificat trust (and incoming CEO of Reach South)
- Cathie Paine, REAch2
- Sir Mufti Hamid Patel, Star Academies
- Tom Rees, Ormiston Academies Trust
- Paul Rickeard, Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust
- Sarah Ridley, the Mead Educational Trust
- Luke Sparkes, Dixons Academies Trust
- Sir Paul Tarn, Delta Academies Trust
- Steve Taylor, Cabot Learning Federation
- Chris Tomlinson, Co-op Academies Trust
- Jonny Uttley, the Education Alliance
Right, let us get the people who are furthest from the true workings of an educational institute to advise…
How many of these are truly vested and not just for the “profitable business” of education?
Just had a thought, how ethnically diverse is the group? There’s been an effort to include women which is fantastic but until we stop pretending that diversity means hearing the voices of someone on behalf of a specific group, we will not progress in education.
Yes if education is about inspiring young minds engaging the in exploration and learning, we need minds which daily engage joyfully with the vast untapped energy
Balancing financial books, researching the next company car, updating office furniture along with more time away from kids at Whitehall with professional civil servants who may, if their fortunate, get 30 days a year in classrooms living and breathing this energy. Yes and the occasional student who is disengaged.
I understand that paralysis of kids minds and enjoyment is not on their agenda, but fear it’s the outcome.
Teaching Union leaders take note as this is your trap too
Can we have some analysis of suspension and exclusion rates in these Trusts?
So why aren’t those that are doing the jobs represented !! Far more would be learnt and understood about the needs of the schools and staff if only they were included instead of those on inflated salaries sitting in their nice offices while day to day staff cope with terrible behaviours and lack of resources. So yes let’s consult with the CEO s !!
So agree with this comment. Often our principals are so out of touching working on the ground, it’s unbelievable.