academisation | Schools Week

DfE goes shy on ‘try before you buy’ academy deals

The government has quietly slashed funding for trust partnerships, unveiled only last year to revive its multi-academy trust drive

29 areas vie for spots on council academy trust pilot

Only a third of councils which applied are likely to be able to join the pilot launching their own trusts

Council trusts allowed to run schools beyond their own boundaries

Sector leaders said LA-founded MATs should be allowed to expand anywhere like other trusts, but one expert warned of council ‘power struggles’

Academy transfers hit six-year low despite DfE MAT drive

Covid disruption has dented school transfers, but enthusiasm may also be limited among big and standalone trusts alike

DfE reveals trust leaders advising on review of academy regulation

Two-thirds of the advisory group represent academy trusts, with the DfE planning the regulatory overhaul despite a climbdown over its schools bill

Ofsted warns new ‘coasting schools’ powers could fuel ‘quick fixes’

DfE will plough on with ordering more schools to academise or join new trusts, despite fears reforms will hit recruitment and discourage trusts from taking on schools

How turnaround trust plans to fix ‘orphan’ school problem

The St Joseph CMAT’s chief executive compared its task to a ‘mission to Mars’, but the pilot could spark copycat trusts nationwide

Council MAT trial next year – but caps on number and size

The DfE will ‘test the concept’ of local authority multi-academy trusts, inviting councils to join a small trial

Carol Dewhurst, chief executive and Tessa Mason, chair, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust

The chair and chief executive of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust learnt about the importance of the CEO-chair relationship when they worked on academisation for the Department for Education. Seven years into their partnership, the former DfE advisers reveal their lessons along the way Carol Dewhurst, chief executive, and Tessa Mason, chair, of the Bradford Diocesan […]