Why does Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted Chief Inspector, think that the best measure of the quality of governors is their professional qualifications and how much they are paid?
There should be more transparency
The government stated ambitions are to turn round failing schools and to promote parental choice. But where is the choice and transparency?
Get stuck in or carp from the sidelines?
There are signs of a shift in the debate about academy schools. away from arguing about the merits or otherwise of the government’s academies policy, towards a focus on seeking ways to get the best out of the options available.
Conversion update
By September 2012, a total of 2309 schools had converted to academies of which 1808 were converter schools and 501 sponsored. The majority are secondary schools (1484) with 769 being primary and 56 special schools.
Twigg avoids the question
Given the rapidly changing education landscape and the current debate about the relationship between local authorities and schools, it was disappointing that Stephen Twigg, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, failed to set out the Labour party’s position on this key issue. Read more …
No agreement on third tier role
The newly published LGiU report, ‘Should we shed the middle tier?’ was launched at an LGiU/NUT fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrat Conference on 25 September 2012.
No one trying to elbow-out local authorities
The role of Local Authorities in school improvement was the topic for debate in David Law’s first education fringe of the Liberal Democrat Conference on 24 September 2012. It appears that the panel was set up assuming a major disagreement on the role of local authorities, however, what emerged was a general consensus.
Freedom and responsibility
If you subscribe to the principle that freedom for individuals and institutions and the devolution of power means that better and more appropriate decisions are made, then why should that principle not hold true for schools?
Stimulating the debate
We are seeking to engage people in the debate around the future role of Local Authorities in education. Read more …
Views of Headteachers and Chairs of Governors on the role of the LA
The increasing independence of schools as they move to academy status is just the latest stage in the journey of school autonomy which can trace its origins back many years through foundation schools, grant maintained schools, and local management of schools.
Our survey of the views of headteachers and chairs of governors shows that schools value their increased autonomy and freedoms but recognise that, within clearly defined parameters, the local authority still has a role to play.
Tamarind Chambers 