Biggest-ever academy trust merger given minister greenlight Catholic mega MAT set to become second biggest in England as bosses eye September launch
Lords seek to water down schools bill powers Peers will consider hundreds of amendments to the legislation as opposition politicians point to ‘serious concerns’
New 25-school MAT on cards as Compass and Eko plan merger Average academy trust size now surpasses five schools as smaller trusts merge
Founding CEO of Yorkshire MAT to retire Former ASCL president and long-term trust boss set to be replaced in new year
How academy trusts are ‘caught in a trap’ on school reserves Most trusts say money has been built up to fund construction projects or to shield from financial uncertainties
Academy scandal reports will no longer name offenders Reports are now ‘outcomes’ of investigations, as opposed to investigation reports
RISE improvement advisers: ‘best of the best’ or ‘clipboard carrying bureaucrats’? Who are the government’s new improvement advisers, and how will they operate?
Oh Lord: Peers now take aim at schools bill Former Tory ministers warn of ‘get out of jail card’ for ‘incompetent’ school leaders
Heads’ union pushes for academies’ right to rejoin councils In an interview with Schools Week, heads’ leader also urges government not to ‘flinch’ in the face of ‘soft on standards’ accusations