Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Browne Jacobson home

Education home

Insights

Blogs

Full steam ahead on the academies programme

full steam ahead on the academies programme

18 May 2015

Nicky Morgan has wasted no time in confirming that the new Government intends to continue and expand the academy conversion programme. In her recent article for The Telegraph the Education Secretary has confirmed what was intimated in the run up to the General Election that new legislation will be introduced, firstly to speed up intervention in failing schools and secondly to intervene in ‘coasting’ schools. Academy conversion is likely to be the result for schools unable to show the ability to improve.

The Education Secretary also said that she would be looking to introduce powers to overrule objections from councils and to ensure that her orders over the fate of failing schools take precedence.

There will be considerable interest in the definition of ‘coasting’ as approximately 3300 schools currently graded as 'requires improvement' (RI) will feel that this initiative is aimed at them. It is unlikely that all RI schools will be targeted but perhaps those with a record of persistent failure to improve will be the first to come under detailed scrutiny.

related opinions

Welcome news for sixth form colleges looking to academise

The Government has accepted calls from sixth form colleges to reopen the option to become academies.

View blog

Roundtable – a more nuanced approach to school improvement?

The DfE’s approach to school improvement since the Academy Act 2010 came into force has been very intervention heavy – first with a significant increase in academy sponsorship, followed more recently by the rebrokering or transferring of academies between trusts.

View blog

Kids Company - lesson for academies?

The Insolvency Service intends to prosecute previous trustees of Kids Company showing that failure to fulfill a voluntary role has real consequences.

View blog

What can we expect for Education from the new alliance between the Conservative and Democratic Unionist parties?

Following the re-election of a minority Conservative Government, Theresa May has set about forming her Cabinet. Following the reshuffle Justine Greening has been reappointed as the Secretary of State for Education.

View blog

View all blogs