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School improvement – an alternative to academisation?

school improvement – an alternative to academisation?

16 April 2013

The focused Ofsted visit to local authority areas where there was insufficient progress has resulted in action in Coventry, one of the first authorities visited. As Ofsted placed another two schools in special measures in Coventry and at risk of academisation, the local authority has responded by proposing a new system of school to school support with primary schools being partnered with secondary schools. It is hoped these partnerships will assist in raising standards and avoiding further academies within the Coventry.

This is an expansion of the scheme already in place in Coventry which Ofsted noted had limited success. Whilst the school based self improving education system is part of the Government agenda to raise standards and give power to the front line professionals, such partnerships cannot provide a safe harbour from intervention. As such the conversion to academy status, whether through consent or otherwise, may well be appropriate for some schools as the required step change to raise standards.

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Richard Freeth

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