Academies

Education director leaves E-ACT as CEO remains suspended

Staff told senior leader would be absent 'for the foreseeable future'

Staff told senior leader would be absent 'for the foreseeable future'

13 Feb 2022, 7:00

More from this author

Exclusive

An award-winning senior leader has left one of the country’s largest trusts as uncertainty continues over the suspension of its chief executive.

Fuzel Choudhury has left as national director of education of E-ACT after less than two years in post.

Colleagues had been told last month he would be “absent from work for the foreseeable future”.

Previously head of Rockwood Academy, the school at the centre of the “Trojan horse” scandal, Choudhury moved to E-ACT’s Heartlands Academy in Birmingham in 2017. It subsequently won two awards.

Choudhury rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming regional education director in June 2019, director of secondary in October 2019 and then national director in July 2020.

A spokesperson said Choudhury wanted “a new challenge”.

In November, Schools Week revealed that Jane Millward, the trust’s chief executive, had been suspended. The trust said this week she “remains away from work”.

Tom Campbell, the chief education officer at Greenwood Academies Trust, is currently acting chief executive.

The trust’s website calls suspension a “neutral” and “precautionary” measure to allow investigations or protection of staff or children.

Newly-published accounts show Millward’s pay – which has previously faced DfE scrutiny – rose to £198,473 in 2020-21, up from £180,959 a year earlier and £155,832 the year previously.

The trust did not confirm if she still received her full salary.

Meanwhile, the accounts reveal external advisers have been hired to look into payments made to staff members that cannot “be determined as in line with funding rules”.

“The academy trust has also identified a contract that needs further consideration of the procurement processes used to ensure value for money was obtained for E-ACT.”

The Education and Skills Funding Agency has been notified about the investigation, with “no formal conclusions” so far.

A spokesperson confirmed the review was ongoing, but said the issues were “not deemed to be material in the context of the financial results reported”.

There is no suggestion the departures are linked to the account findings.

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

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Navigating NPQ Funding Cuts: An Apprenticeship Success Story

Last year’s NPQ funding cuts meant that half of England’s teachers faced costs of up to £4,000 to complete...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Embedding Formative Assessment: not just a box-ticking exercise but something long-term and meaningful for all

Our EFA programme has been proven to help schools achieve better GCSE results, as evidenced by the EEF. Find...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building capacity in family support to tackle low school attendance 

Persistent and severe school absence impacts children, families, and communities—especially in disadvantaged areas. School-Home Support’s Attendance Support and Development Programme...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Academies

Trusts on verge of going bust, accountancy report claims

Kreston Group study finds even biggest MATs have taken financial hit – but CEO pay is rising again

Jack Dyson
Academies

Delta trust merger given minister greenlight

Trust set to become second-biggest in England after receiving government go-ahead

Jack Dyson
Academies

Moynihan becomes first £500k academy CEO

Harris Federation chief received a £25,000 pay rise last year, accounts show

Jack Dyson
Academies

Failing schools all improved after academisation – despite protests

Academy leaders fear potentially transformative takeovers will be kiboshed by parents and unions

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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