Academies

Academy body taps experts for ‘what works’ inquiry on trusts

Review will will aim to create resources on how to improve trusts and publish a report

Review will will aim to create resources on how to improve trusts and publish a report

20 Mar 2023, 9:00

More from this author

=

The Confederation of School Trusts has recruited sector experts for a wide-ranging inquiry into “what works” in academy trusts.

Steve Rollett, deputy chief executive of the sector body for trusts, said developing professional capacity for school and trust improvement was “the responsibility of the sector, which should be supported by not prescribed by government”.

It comes only a few months after the government formally dropped plans for controversial new academy standards of its own and intervention powers.

A regulatory review aimed at making the system more “capable of improvement” is ongoing however, with publication promised first by December and now by the end of this month.

Rollett will chair the sector’s own year-long inquiry, which will aim to create resources on how to improve trusts and publish a report after taking evidence.

The panel includes Professor Becky Francis, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, Tom Rees, executive director of Ambition Institute, Ed Vainker, chief executive of the Reach Foundation, Rob Coe, director of research and improvement at Evidence Based Education, and Dr Kate Chhatwal, chief executive of Challenge Partners.

It will aim to draw on expertise from not only experts but also trusts of “different sizes, geographies and operating models”.

Rollett said: “This inquiry is about understanding what works and why, and how that can be applied so that everyone benefits.

“We don’t believe there is a single model of how to run or improve trusts, but we do think there is more we can collectively know about trust improvement, with insight into concrete practices and approaches.

“This inquiry will not be the last word on how trusts improve but we hope it will make a significant contribution and be of benefit to the sector.”

The panel also includes senior leaders at eight multi-academy trusts:

  • Dan Nicholls, Executive Director of Education, Cabot Learning Federation
  • Dawn Haywood, Chief Executive, Windsor Academy Trust
  • Jennese Alozie, Chief Executive, University of Chichester Academy Trust
  • Jenny Thompson, Executive Director, Dixons Academies Trust
  • Lekha Sharma, School Improvement Lead, Avanti Schools Trust
  • Rob Tarn CBE, Chief Executive, Northern Education Trust
  • Warren Carratt, Chief Executive, Nexus Multi-Academy Trust
  • Will Smith, Chief Executive, Greenshaw Learning Trust

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Academies

CEO gender pay gap halves after closing three years in a row

But men still paid £5k more than women, CST study finds

Jack Dyson
Academies

Pioneering free school censured over ‘inaccurate’ budget forecasts

Notice to improve issued to one of England's first free schools amid string of rule breaches

Jack Dyson
Academies

20 leaders appointed to DfE trust CEO advisory group

Bosses of United Learning, Lift Schools, Ark and Star academy trusts appointed to advise minister amid schools bill reforms

Freddie Whittaker
Academies

OGAT staff set to strike for 10 more days in July

Staff are on strike over plans to extend the teaching day by 30 minutes

Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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