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From the editor From the editor I am delighted that we are able to showcase a number of case studies from FASNA members showing how converter academies are contributing to system leadership. All too often the impact of converter academies is disparaged. It is easy to forget that converter academies have only existed for three years or less and that their full impact will take time to be realised. Editor Peter Beaven Steering group Tom Clark (Executive Chairman, FASNA) Alex Sharratt (JCEL) Jo Seymour (St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School) Andrew Johnson (Springwood High School) Dianne Marshall (Violet Way Academy) Published by John Catt Educational Ltd, 12 Deben Mill Business Centre, Old Maltings Approach, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BL. Tel: (01394) 389850 Fax: (01394) 386893 Opinions expressed in Academy are not necessarily endorsed by FASNA or JCEL; likewise advertisements are printed in good faith. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement by FASNA or JCEL. Editorial contributions should be sent to editor@academymag.co.uk. Submissions for the Autumn edition should arrive no later than 12th July 2014. Academy is published three times a year, in Spring, Summer and Autumn. £25 for a two-year subscription, post paid; discounts for bulk orders are available. Subscriptions: Sara Rogers, srogers@johncatt.com Advertising: Madeleine Anderson, manderson@johncatt.com Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6HD Copyright wholly owned by John Catt Educational www.academymag.co.uk ISSN (print) 2049-1492 ISSN (online) 2049 1506 John Catt Educational Ltd is a member of the Independent Publishers Guild. Politics In September I wrote that the then Labour Shadow Education Secretary was not revealing his education policies. Since then, Mr Twigg has gone to be replaced by the erudite Tristram Hunt. Consequently, we have looked forward to a breath of fresh air in the educational debate and have waited eagerly for Labour to show its thinking. We are promised a report next month. At the FASNA Conference Mr Hunt was strong on rhetoric and broad principle, much of which is to be applauded. However, his speech had inconsistencies and lacked detail. On the one hand, as a believer in school autonomy, he said all schools should have academy freedoms, on the other he wanted more powers for some undefined “middle tier”. He praised sponsor academies, saying that it was obvious it would take time for this Labour policy to have the impact it is now showing; but failed to acknowledge the work of some 3000 converter academies. I for one look forward to Labour announcing its policies. I think Mr Gove should feel the same. For too long he has been able to make policy which has not been politically challenged in a coherent way and he has not benefitted from the vigorous debate that ensues when the other side puts up well constructed and principled alternatives. The Middle Tier Despite the fact that Mr Hunt left FASNA delegates fearful for school autonomy under a Labour Government, it would seem that all parties have to grapple with how to deal with the situation when an autonomous school fails. We believe strongly in autonomy with accountability – so what happens to a failing school? Local Authorities have been inept at tackling this. Debbie Clinton makes the point that the strong LAs in the North East have the fewest autonomous schools but the highest rate of failing schools. They have failed spectacularly to demonstrate their worth here. Similarly, there are question marks about the effectiveness of too many of the large chains. Maybe Mr Gove’s Regional Commissioners could be the answer, but their role and powers are not yet clear (see the article by Graham Burns on page 51). It is clear something needs to be done – but what? The fear of many schools and academies is that Mr Hunt will take us back to a Local Authority model which has already failed. Politicians of all hues need to be imaginative in their approach. A one-size fits all approach is not the right way. A multi-faceted approach may offer greater flexibility, better targeting and be more cost-effective. Converter academies supporting failing schools in Multi-Academy Trusts should be part of the solution as our case studies show. Other solutions may include commercial providers, organisations with the capacity for this – such as FASNA – and some LAs if they think they have the skill sets, capacity and willingness to sell their services beyond their borders. The question then is who will decide intervention is necessary? And decide on the type of intervention? And decide which of the several possibilities should be commissioned? And where does the budget come from? It makes sense to keep these decisions away from Local Authorities as they impact on local politics and they need to be made objectively. The issue is – then what? Maybe Mr Gove’s Regional Commissioners could play such a role. Cont... Peter Beaven, editor of Academy, retired in August 2012 as Headteacher of Norton Hill and Somervale Schools in Midsomer Norton. He had been Headteacher at Norton Hill for 18 years and during the last three years was also Head of Somervale. He can be contacted via editor@academymag.co.uk Summer 2014 | Academy magazine 3
Page 1 and 2: cademy Volume 3 Number 3 Summer 201
Page 3: contents Volume3 Number3 Summer 201
Page 7 and 8: From the editor Ofsted The recent P
Page 9 and 10: System leadership Unlocking achieve
Page 11 and 12: System leadership and unlock real p
Page 13 and 14: System leadership of their autonomy
Page 15 and 16: System leadership Department for Ed
Page 17 and 18: System leadership will carry our na
Page 19 and 20: System leadership are stronger” F
Page 21 and 22: System leadership Priority 1: Impro
Page 23 and 24: System leadership The true strength
Page 25 and 26: System leadership management teams,
Page 27 and 28: System leadership Being supported a
Page 29 and 30: System leadership e or different? -
Page 31 and 32: System leadership The Trust cut its
Page 33 and 34: Political matters On March 11th Sha
Page 35 and 36: Political matters own the walls. al
Page 37 and 38: Political matters to school collabo
Page 39 and 40: Political matters UTC facts and fig
Page 41 and 42: Conference Stellar names and lively
Page 43 and 44: Conference Tristram Hunt addresses
Page 45 and 46: News from Don’t miss out - Join F
Page 47 and 48: Accountability difference. It is re
Page 49 and 50: Accountability managing, indeed car
Page 51 and 52: Accountability Using the example of
Page 53 and 54: Accountability “Striking, intrigu
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NQTs The level and speed of support
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The extra dimension Two Minute Lead
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The extra dimension Cut bureaucracy
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The extra dimension The report note
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The extra dimension exciting the st
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The extra dimension As a consequenc
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The extra dimension Following the v
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The extra dimension the faculty tea
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The extra dimension It’s not abou
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Changing structures How will CECET
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Changing structures • CECET’s d
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Changing structures a curriculum th
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Changing structures Martin’s Acad
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Changing structures The financial i
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Finance According to the Academies
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Finance Since the academies program
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Finance What does e-invoicing mean
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Finance have more autonomy and with
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Aon Risk Solutions A tailored appro
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