Academies

Parent pushback forces academy takeover rethink

Plans to academise Sheffield's last local authority-maintained secondary have been pushed back

Plans to academise Sheffield's last local authority-maintained secondary have been pushed back

14 May 2023, 5:00

More from this author

Parent power has pushed back plans to academise Sheffield's last maintained secondary school

Parent power has pushed back plans to convert Sheffield’s last local authority-maintained secondary into an academy, but sparked inequality concerns over schools without such well-educated parents.

Yorkshire and Humber regional director Alison Wilson has deferred a decision for the Brigantia Learning Trust to take over King Edward VII School (KES).

Education chiefs wanted the chain to take over KES – which calls itself one of the “most prestigious” secondaries in the city – following its ‘inadequate’ Ofsted in September.

But the proposal was only spotted when education professor Mark Boylan, whose daughter Sophia attends the school, stumbled upon an online copy of the regional advisory board meeting’s agenda a week before it took place. 

Parents who challenged the decision said this left them with just three days to make their views known. They also claimed KES was not made aware until this point. 

“It’s not right that parents who’ve got the resources of various types – among us are journalists, campaigners and lawyers – got the decision deferred,” Boylan said.

“Whereas parents in other places may be none the wiser, and not even know there’s an agenda or that they can make a representation. There’s inequity to the decision-making process.” 

Wilson decided to push the decision back to June or July “to allow further analysis to be carried out, comparing a number of suitable multi-academy trusts, including Brigantia”. 

KES headteacher Linda Godden stated in a letter the regional director had “looked at all the communications she received from the school, parents, carers and external parties” ahead of the meeting. 

General ‘lack of transparency’ around academisation

Two of Brigantia’s five schools are classed as “coasting”, as they received two less-than-good Ofsteds in a row. 

The government gave itself powers last year to move primaries and secondaries struggling to move out of ‘requires improvement’ into alternative trusts – but opponents claimed KES’s proposed move flew in the face of the crackdown.

“If you are voluntarily academised, parents get consulted, but as soon as it’s forced academisation, they’re not,” Boylan added.

“Beyond this particular example, there’s a general issue with the lack of transparency, lack of involvement of schools – it’s just rubbish.” 

A Brigantia spokesperson said “clarification” of what was discussed at the advisory board meeting “will be communicated as and when we are able to share this information”. 

The Department for Education stressed KES “as with any school that receives an overall judgement of ‘inadequate’, will become an academy and be transferred to a strong trust”. 

A spokesperson added further analysis will “ensure the school is transferred to the most appropriate trust with a strong track record of ensuring pupils receive the highest standard of education – while retaining its historic ethos.”

The spokesperson did not respond when asked why analysis was not done prior to the meeting. 

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

From Provision to Purpose: Making Internal AP Work for Every Pupil

Across England, a quiet transformation is underway. In schools up and down the country, leaders are reshaping how we...

SWAdvertorial
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

More from this theme

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
Academies

Who are the CEOs batting for Labour’s schools bill?

Labour’s schools bill has been heavily criticised, but who are the CEOs who support the bill – and why?

Jack Dyson
Academies

Academy trust handbook 2025 changes: what leaders need to know

Trusts barred from paying hacker ransoms and told CEO pay must be 'defensible' in latest funding rules

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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