Academies

White paper: Most ‘coasting’ schools already academies

DfE consults on forcing schools 'not making necessary improvements' to become academies or join a new trust

DfE consults on forcing schools 'not making necessary improvements' to become academies or join a new trust

Two-thirds of “coasting” schools earmarked for potential government intervention from September are already academies, new analysis shows.

On Monday, the Department for Education launched a consultation to force schools “not making necessary improvements” into becoming academies or joining a new trust.

Any school rated ‘requires improvement’ at its most recent Ofsted inspection and with a previous less than ‘good’ rating will be eligible for intervention.

Analysis of Ofsted’s February management information data found 869 schools with successive less than ‘good’ ratings that have been inspected at least once under their current sponsor or local authority.

Of these, 65 per cent (564) are academies.

However, the government will initially focus on “coasting” schools in the 55 education improvement areas, and those with a “long-term history of underperformance”.

These are described as schools with five consecutive less than ‘good’ Ofsted judgments.

The analysis from Education Datalab found about 210 schools in this category – 81 per cent (170) of them academies.

But the consultation states intervention will not be “automatic”. Regional directors – formerly regional school commissioners – will decide on a case-by-case basis if action is required.

The government said 4.2 per cent of state funded schools – which teach “over 400,000 pupils” – have successive less than ‘good’ grades, rising to 5.7 per cent in education improvement areas.

Regional directors (RDs) will “not normally intervene” before an academy has received a full inspection under its current trust.

‘Inspection histories’ taken into account in academies drive

However, the consultation says “inspection histories” of academies will be taken into account – meaning the school’s previous grades under the local authority or old trust will be counted.

The consultation adds: “This will allow RDs to hold academy trusts to account for improving their academies rapidly once they have converted or transferred.”

Schools which have fewer than five less than ‘good’ judgments will only be eligible for intervention if their most recent inspection is after May last year.

It means the proportion of academies eligible for intervention may change by September.

The DfE expects the “vast majority” of maintained schools and standalone academies “will be transferred to a MAT”.

But “coasting” academies already part of a MAT “may” be transferred to another trust only where the RD is “not confident that the current MAT is likely to secure necessary improvements”.

“Coasting” schools are currently defined by pupil performance and progress, but the DfE will “revoke these regulations” in favour of reference to consecutive Ofsted judgments.

The consultation closes on May 23.

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

DfE abandons plan to scrap free school faith admissions cap

The previous Conservative government consulted on the proposals last year

Freddie Whittaker
Academies

Academy trust central teams gobble up £200m

Analysis of the 30 largest trusts found the average amount top-sliced has risen by 50% per pupil since 2021

Jack Dyson
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

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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