middle-tier

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sarah: School Improvement – Whose business is it?

The linked article draws attention to the creation of a new regional structure within the DfE which is apparently taking charge of school intervention work traditionally performed by local authorities as ministers respond to concerns about how they can possibly supervise thousands of newly independent academies. The DfE quietly set up last month what could be seen as a “middle tier” ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "When initiatives start, the people who run them are empowered to do what needs to be done. The have high caliber people, government attention, money and other resources. They learn from their mistakes and they lead, seed and ......"

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Francis Gilbert: Even Academy sponsors are arguing for a “middle tier”

The dismantling of local authorities is having a harmful effect upon our school system because all the advice and support that they provided is no longer there. Furthermore, if parents have complaints about free schools or academies, they have nowhere to turn but the Department for Education. Now, even the Royal Society of Arts, the RSA, a well-known academy sponsor, ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Andy - you are correct, the academy conversion programme opens up the way for schools to be run for profit. It already happens to some extent when sponsors sell services to their academies (the NAO warned about this) or ......"

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charlotte chadwick: Do We Need a “Middle Tier”?

Ahead of the launch of the (supposedly) independent Academies Commission, former Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert gives TES her view on the middle tier question: It is not the answer you would expect from someone who made their name leading local education authorities. But Christine Gilbert believes town halls should no longer be at the heart of school improvement and ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by johnbolt: "This commission is not independent partly because it's set up by Academy sponsors who have a vested interest in the outcomes - the chains want more business - but also because Christine Gilbert has effectively prejudges the whole process by ......"

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Janet Downs: Conditions are right for a “perfect storm” says Assistant Director of Children’s Services

Schools face “unprecedented pressure” because of the Government’s policies, says a report by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS). Heads and teachers are “becoming increasingly alienated” at a time when the Government expects them to deliver higher standards. The factors contributing to what one Assistant Director of Children’s Services in a large county authority described as a “perfect ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Tim Bidie: "Janet - May I refer you to my referenced replies above. The NAO report I reference above clearly states that the achievements of disadvantaged pupils in academies did improve: 'The performance of academy pupils from more challenging circumstances (those who are registered ......"

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Janet Downs: Centralisation of education funding is inconsistent with localism and accountable government, says academic.

The Government allegedly promotes decentralisation and localism but seems to be moving towards greater centralisation, warns Joan Costa Font of the London School of Economics. Government education policies weaken a key element of democracy - power sharing between central and local governments – while at the same time providing favourable conditions for private sector expansion. Concerns about this threat to local ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "This community has some deeper and wider views: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Education-Online-Communities-Practice-Managers-3847644?goback=%2Egmp_3847644%2Egde_3847644_member_113067214..."

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