Schools

Devon council appoints academy chiefs to run education services

Experts say academisation is increasingly hollowing out council expertise in education

Experts say academisation is increasingly hollowing out council expertise in education

18 Sep 2022, 7:00

More from this author

A troubled local authority has drafted in two multi-academy trust leaders on part-time secondments to lead its education services.

Experts said greater trust-council collaboration was welcome, and noted academisation was increasingly hollowing out council expertise in education.

Devon County Council recently brought many of its education services back in-house after  the end of a decade-long outsourcing deal.

It said this would enable a “more cohesive SEND offer”, and help to cut costs by reducing demand for education and health care plans.

Council chiefs began cost-cutting this month to plug an “unprecedented” £40 million deficit in finances. They were also recently threatened with government intervention in their services for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

In July, inspectors said Devon had failed to sufficiently tackle “significant weaknesses” identified four years earlier.

In-sourcing will also help Devon to fulfil ongoing statutory duties, which have withered away less than expected when work was contracted out in 2012 as academisation began.

This month Rachel Shaw, the chief executive of Exeter Learning Academy Trust, and Matthew Shanks, who leads Education South West, began as joint interim heads of education. They will “support the new integrated department”, the council said.

Shaw said her focus was on “how our services support the most vulnerable”, and making “best use of available resources”.

Shanks said his focus was “outcomes”, particularly closing the disadvantage gap, and delivering on the schools white paper.

But he played down the idea the two appointments might presage an academisation drive.

Both applied unprompted to an open job advert and linked their success more to their backgrounds leading – and merging – Devon’s primary and secondary head associations. Shanks works two days a week for the council, and Shaw three, under an initial one-year agreement.

“We have busy day jobs, but felt compelled out of civic duty. Devon are doing something different in using school leaders’ experiences.”

Shaw said they could offer “on-the-ground” perspectives on safeguarding, attendance and other services.

A council spokesperson called the pair “highly respected senior leaders”. Processes were in place to avoid council business involving their schools coming “anywhere near” them, Shanks said.

Andrew Pilmore

Andrew Pilmore, a school improvement director at consultancy DRB, said such appointments could reflect councils being “depleted of expertise” since academisation.

“For councils restarting improvement teams, it’s almost inevitable those with recent, demonstrable track records are in successful MATs.”

John Fowler, a policy manager at the Local Government Intelligence Unit, agreed, saying many councils hired education leaders with social work or non-education backgrounds, and management consultants.

Pilmore said a more “joined-up” sector was important, to share best practice and avoid smaller MATs “becoming insular”.

Shaw noted Devon had high levels of not only academisation, but also collaboration through MATs and, previously, federations.

Dan Morrow, the chief executive of Dartmoor MAT, said local leaders welcomed the new appointments, with communication and collaboration improving already. “It’s system leadership based on shared purpose and priorities, not previous designation or affiliation.”

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

Schools

Loss of £80m low-carbon skills fund could stop schools going green

Cash-strapped schools will be unable to afford bids for a wider decarbonisation scheme, consultants warn

Jack Dyson
Schools

Jewish school charities part of £22m cheque-cashing probe

Charity Commission launches inquiry following HMRC raid on a firm in Hackney

Jack Dyson
Schools

Schools wanted for AI lesson planning trial

Education Endowment Foundation study to assess whether AI tool can save teachers time while not compromising on quality

Rhi Storer
Schools

Poorer pupils ‘locked out’ of key subjects due to teacher shortages

Teacher shortages ‘block poorest pupils from some of the best-paid careers in AI-driven economy’

Rhi Storer

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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