Education
Back to school: Give councils the powers they need
Place-based school planning and decision-making powers are currently not strong enough, argues Michael Bracey, so it’s time for the Government to empower councils to aid the schools.
Council slams multi-academy trusts' lack of accountability
Wakefield City Council has criticised the lack of accountability of academy trusts after an organisation that managed 21 schools in the city pulled out of its role.
EXCLUSIVE: London boroughs face £94m funding gap for SEN pupils
London boroughs are facing a ‘growing crisis’ as funding shortfalls meet increases in the numbers of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), finance experts have warned.
London cannot continue to plug schools budgets with short-term fixes
Gerald Almeroth warns of a looming crisis in schools funding in London as growing shortfalls meet a continuing rise in pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN).
Training up the leaders of tomorrow
Andrew Muter talks about the unique approach Newark and Sherwood DC and its surrounding authorities are taking to develop talent.
Shropshire academy trust ready for launch
Shropshire Council is to launch its own multi-academy trust in the hope of maintaining an influence on education in the county.
School powers transfer ‘threat to local democracy’
The Scottish Government’s plans to transfer responsibility for school improvement to new regional bodies threaten to undermine local democracy, a senior Labour councillor has claimed.
Say, what’s her name?
Diary has been busy doing some hardcore investigative journalism.
Power for good in an uncertain world
Six months into her term as Ofsted’s chief inspector, Amanda Spielman speaks about the watchdog’s role in children’s services improvement and offers some messages for those in the sector. Sam Clayden reports.
New school powers will hinder local accountability for Scots
New powers awarded to schools by the Scottish Government will erode local accountability, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has warned.
Equipping children for our diverse society
Yvette Thomas outlines how Buckinghamshire CC is partnering with the third sector to cut out racism and discrimination from an early age.
Time for some new school thinking?
At a recent The MJ round table, council chief executives and senior managers met to discuss the role of local government in schools and the changing landscape of the education system. Dan Peters reports.
Gloucestershire leadership questioned in Ofsted report
Gloucestershire CC children’s services has been rated inadequate by Ofsted in a report that highlighted serious concerns about the council’s leadership.
May is now uniquely exposed to backbench revolts on public sector reforms
Michael Burton unpicks the numbers in the wake of the shock General Election result.
Single pension scheme for academies mooted
A single local government pension scheme (LGPS) fund for all academies could be created, a report has suggested.
Prospects purchases Homes 2 Inspire
Prospects Group UK, a provider of education, employment and care for children, has bought the children’s homes business, Homes 2 Inspire.
Academies put authorities under financial pressure
The increasing number of academies and free schools is forcing councils to put money aside in case it hits their business rates income, the Society of County Treasurers (SCT) has complained to the Government.
All the fun of the farm
Is feeding defrosted rodents to a python called Cuddles your idea of fun?
School place shortage is at crisis levels
It is vitally important that greater collaboration between the private and public sector is fostered in order to face the uphill battle local authorities and schools have on their hands, wrights Mark Robinson.
We’re getting with the programme
The national approach to safeguarding must be broadened if children’s services departments are to take into account risks from outside the family home, writes Sarah Wright.