Academies

Brighton trust to close after ‘GAG pooling’ controversy

MAT at centre of first 'GAG pooling' strikes will transfer schools to other trusts

MAT at centre of first 'GAG pooling' strikes will transfer schools to other trusts

20 Jan 2025, 16:00

More from this author

An under-pressure academy trust will close and transfer all its schools to alternative chains after fall-out from a “GAG pooling” controversy.

Staff at five University of Brighton Academies Trust (UoBAT) schools went on strike last year over the group’s financial model.

The issue landed in Parliament before Christmas as schools minister Catherine McKinnell confirmed UoBAT was “committed to ending” the policy.

Schools Week had revealed one of the trust’s academies had about 20 per cent of its cash retained centrally, while another had 17 per cent held back.

But today bosses announced they have “informed the Department for Education of their desire to seek to transfer the academies… to other academy trusts”.

“The trustees are committed to improving the outcomes for all young people at every stage of their education and view this significant step as the best way for this to be achieved,” they added.

In all, UoBAT runs 14 academies. The chain stressed it will work with DfE “over the months that come to seek the right trusts for academies to join, and to give stability and continuity to all our stakeholders through the time of change”.

Trusts have two methods to fund central services. Most top slice a percentage from their schools’ budgets.

Catherine McKinnell

But a growing number are instead pooling their general annual grant (GAG) first, before deciding how much should be allocated to academies based on their own formula, which is not made public.

A UoBAT spokesperson said in December that it would move to a top-slice model to “support greater transparency”, after “recognising this is a request from its schools”.

Hilary Goldsmith, a school business leader, previously argued the case should act as a warning to the sector.

“There should be real, genuine transparency [between staff and MATs] about what GAG pooling is for, why and how it leads to school improvement … [so] staff fully understand the value and agree with the numbers,” she explained.

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Dream Big Day: Empowering Every Pupil to Imagine, Create, and Flourish

In today’s rapidly evolving world, educators face an immense challenge: How do we inspire young people to envision ambitious...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Reframing digital skills for the workforce of tomorrow

No longer just for those with a passion for technology: why digital skills matter

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace tackles harassment, misconduct and safeguarding concerns in schools 

In today’s education climate, where safeguarding, wellbeing and staff retention are under increasing scrutiny, the message is clear: schools...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Academies

Harris Federation scales back redundancies

Schools Week revealed last month that 45 jobs were at risk

Jack Dyson
Academies

Academy trust pulls plug on merger after chair’s resignation

Merger collapses amid trust's concerns 'there was no longer a secure foundation' for plans to progress

Jack Dyson
Academies

More schools miss out as ‘lottery’ repair grants fall again

Just 35 per cent of schools that applied for condition improvement funding get cash

Jack Dyson
Academies

Biggest-ever academy trust merger given minister greenlight

Catholic mega MAT set to become second biggest in England as bosses eye September launch

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *