Future of education – white paper and academisation
Nearly 300 school leaders from across the North East gathered together this week to understand the current direction of education policy.
The White Paper and academisation: implications and options conference organised by SCHOOLS NorthEast saw a range of education experts give top quality independent and impartial advice in order to help delegates make the right decisions for their schools.
SCHOOLS NorthEast Chair and Head Teacher of St John Vianney Catholic Primary School in Hartlepool John Hardy chaired the event and started the day by making it clear that SCHOOLS NorthEast is a network for all schools in the region, regardless of type.
Jonathan Clifton, a former DfE adviser and current education lead at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), gave the keynote speech providing an overview of the white paper and the direction of Government policy.
Mr Clifton pointed out that the latest Government announcement that schools will not be forced to convert is “not a U-turn, just shades of grey. The Government retains its ambition to see every school become an academy and for most of them to join a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), but it won’t force conversion. But if local authorities are underperforming or financially unviable, schools will be converted.”
He added: “Don’t rush, but also don’t bury your head in the sand. The Government has a clear vision.”
The IPPR Associate Director for Public Services also looked at options for collaborative working and shared useful case studies as examples of different types of school partnerships.
Conversion experts went through the nuts and bolts of the process for our delegates, offering valuable advice and top tips. Our speakers explained conversion matters to do with HR, finance, governance and the legal side. Many thanks to Jill Donabie (Muckle LLP), Bill Dennison (National Leader of Governance), Chris Beaumont (Clive Owen LLP) and Julie Sowerby (Avec Partnership) for taking part in our panel of experts and delivering this session.
Chair of the Education Funding Agency advisory group Les Walton CBE gave an entertaining and enlightening talk on the role of the agency.
Delegates also received valuable first hand knowledge and advice shared by school leaders who have already gone through the conversion process and examples of collaboration in the region. The workshops included topics such as Academy conversion: what I wish I’d known first, Collaboration without academisation and Exploring partnership models looking at same-phase and cross-phase options, as well as joining established trusts.
All presentations used during the conference throughout all sessions can be viewed here.
Due to overwhelming demand, SCHOOLS NorthEast will be holding a second White Paper and academisation conference on Tuesday 14 June at the Durham Centre. Click here for more information or email info@schoolsnortheast.com to book your place.