By Gavin Mackintosh-
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services has released a report, requesting approval of the government to let local authorities take over failing academies.
The group represented by the local authority leaders responsible for schools in their various locations are keen to improve the standard of education in failing academies, particularly those let down by their sponsors.
Good sponsorship ensures very good and well paid teachers, as well as fully functional equipment like computers, and a wide range of services, including building design, provision of academic books in libraries, and finances for excursions and valuable school trips.
Representatives of the Children’s services say vulnerable young people are losing out of a meaningful education because of an incoherent system which places them in the wrong hands.Morale in some failing schools have been quite low ever since academies failed by their sponsors were also passed between different trusts . Wakefield City Academies Trust collapse which earlier this year.
The length of waiting time while new sponsors were found have children’s outcomes are put at risk during this time.A common accountability framework to cover all schools has been strongly recommended, including an “open and honest discussion” about returning academies to the local authority if a trust fails or voluntarily hands back its school.
Recommendations include viewing admissions guidance, a protocol for the regional schools commissioner role , a “comprehensive” teacher recruitment and retention plan, and further research into the impact of curriculum reforms.