14 Friday, February 6, 2015 Eastern Daily Press

Like us at: NEWS local www.facebook.com/edp24 Eastern Daily Press SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1870 Top sponsor puts Prospect House, Rouen Road, NR1 1RE Switchboard 01603 628311 Norwich Newsdesk 07501 481521 Editor Nigel Pickover Managing editor Tim Williams Assistant editor David Powles Head of news Ian Clarke Newly-published accounts reveal a variety of Head of sport Chris Lakey Business editor Ben Woods issues facing our region’s schools. In the first of a Political editor Annabelle Dickson Letters editor Pete Kelley two-part series, MARTIN GEORGE reports. Fashion editor Emma Harrowing Agriculture Chris Hill Features editor Trevor Heaton Feature writer Stacia Briggs Picture editor Steve Adams As the second academy to open in Crime Peter Walsh , has The TEN Group as a Health Tom Bristow been something of a flagship for the Education Martin George whole are determined Tourism Stephen Pullinger movement. Public Affairs Dan Grimmer The school, which replaced that they must ‘fix their Graphic journalist Annette Hudson Earlham High in 2009, has a state-of- own roof’ first What’s On Simon Parkin the-art multi-million-pound building, Editorial fax 01603 623872 Spokesman for but, for the past two years, its GCSE E-MAIL Transforming Education in Norfolk To contact any of our staff reporters or results have fallen well below the correspondents use this style: government’s minimum targets. [email protected] Now, newly-published accounts for time.” In the same year, the school’s Newsdesk [email protected] Letters [email protected] 2013-14 have revealed that concerns supply teacher costs almost doubled, ADVERTISING about the school’s academic perform- from £92,000 to £183,000, which the

Manager Andy Orchard ance have forced its sponsor to put school blamed on having “a number Advertising 01603 772858 Classified 01603 660101 future expansion plans on hold, at the of staff on long-term sick leave”. Leaflets 01603 772130 same time it is having to pay back The school is sponsored by the

Photo sales 01603 772449 hundreds of thousands of pounds in Transforming Education in Norfolk www.edp24.co.uk/buyaphoto Postal subscriptions 01603 772738 over-paid grants. (TEN) group, which also includes Advertising fax 01603 623225 The school is adamant its long- , Fakenham, Email [email protected] term future is secure, and its finan- Attleborough and Wayland acade- RECRUITMENT Telephone 01603 693868 cial issues did not contribute to mies, and Norfolk’s first university Email [email protected] recent disappointing exam results. technical college. PROPERTY In the academy’s first year, a grant In 2013, 24pc of pupils achieved five Property editor Caroline Culot Telephone 01603 772492 to help with the conversion process GCSEs at A*-C, including English from the Young People’s Learning and maths – a figure that rose to 29pc

BECCLES 01502 712060 Agency, which was then responsible in 2014. The government’s minimum 20 Blyburgate, Beccles NR34 9TB Community editor David Lennard for funding further education for 16- floor standard is 40pc. 01263 512732 to 19-year-olds, was overpaid by In his introduction to City 31 Church Street, Cromer NR27 9ES £479,000. Academy’s accounts, Dick Palmer, Community editor Richard Batson A spokesman for the school said: chairman of governors and chief DEREHAM 01362 854701 “The reason City Academy Norwich executive of the TEN Group, said its Bond House, High St, Dereham NR19 1DZ Community editor Adam Lazzari is having to repay £479,000 of this 2013 GCSE results “did not meet our grant is the Department for aspirational targets” and noted it had DISS 01379 651153 26 Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AD Education miscalculated the amount received a “pre-warning notice” from Community editor Anthony Carroll that should have been granted and the Department for Education. FAKENHAM 01328 862678 came back at later date asking for His statement also revealed an

22 Norwich Street, Fakenham NR21 9AE repayment.” Academy Improvement Board, Community editor Chris Bishop And last year, the school was hit by chaired by the headmaster of the I The distinctive shape of the City Academy Norwich building, which was opened 01493 847954 169 King Street, Yarmouth NR30 2PA a demand to repay another £317,000 private – who is a Community editor Anne Edwards because it attracted fewer pupils than governor of City Academy – had been This means that, while there is a “The council’s estimation of popu- KING’S LYNN 01553 778680 expected in 2013-14. set up to “monitor and the lead the dedication within the group to rais- lation growth and make-up in City St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, Unlike most new academies, its implementation of a vigorous ing standards and results overall, Academy’s catchment, unlike many King’s Lynn PE30 1LT funding is based on estimated pupil improvement plan aimed at address- there is special attention being paid others, predicts steady growth over Chief reporter David Bale numbers, rather than receiving their ing academic performance issues”. to City Academy Norwich and a the next 10 years. LONDON 020 7219 3384 Press Gallery, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA funding after their roll is confirmed. In a separate set of accounts for number of dedicated initiatives that “We are confident that, with a new Political editor Annabelle Dickson The accounts note that: “The acad- the TEN Group’s other academies, use the power of combined resources and dynamic principal [Mary LOWESTOFT 01502 525835 emy is in discussions with the Mr Palmer said “future growth plans and expertise within the group.” Sparrow] in post and with the 147 London Road Nth, Lowestoft NR32 1NB Education Funding Agency to agree a have been put on hold whilst the He added: “In a time of rapidly support its TEN Group partners, City Community editor Andrew Papworth repayment plan that provides a group resolves performance issues declining roll across Norfolk, City Academy will be going from strength MARCH 01354 661915 Audmoor House, 93 High Street, March PE15 9LH sustainable solution for the academy elsewhere”. Academy Norwich recruited to strength.” Community editor John Elworthy and has been assured that sufficient A spokesman said: “The TEN extremely well against its pre-16 SWAFFHAM 01362 854703 cash will be made available to Group as a whole are determined that capacity and we expect a similar I Do you have an education story? Senior reporter Kate Scotter support the academy in the mean- they must ‘fix their own roof first’. picture for September 2015. Email [email protected] THETFORD 07584 503055 Community editor Andrew Fitchett Twit ter: twitter.com/edp24 The academies movement in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Facebook: facebook.com/edp24 SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS): For full Norfolk’s first academy, the gain more freedoms over areas of a focus on smaller, local competition terms, privacy policy and opt out visit www. in Norwich, such as curriculum and pay, academy groups. edp24.co.uk/terms. By responding to promotions, offers and competitions you agree that the EDP and other opened in 2008, under the and then saying all schools that The and Archant companies may contact you by email, post or sponsorship of the Bishop of are put in special measures Transforming Education in SMS with offers that may be of interest. You will not be Norwich and businessman should become academies under Norfolk (TEN) Group are the charged for receiving these messages. You may opt out anytime by texting STOP to the originating number. Material Graham Dacre. an outside organisation. biggest locally-based players, accepted for publication in the EDP may also be published According to the latest In Norfolk, there are 38 and the Diocese of Norwich’s on the internet. Department for Education converter academies: 18 academy trust has been rapidly The Eastern Daily Press and its journalists are committed information, there are now primaries and 18 secondaries, expanding, taking on schools to abiding by the Society of Editors Code of Practice. If you 78 academies in Norfolk, as with one special school and one with a range of Ofsted ratings have a complaint which can’t be resolved by Eastern Daily well as 60 in Suffolk, and 65 in alternative provision school. from ‘outstanding’ to being in Press managing editor Tim Williams (tim.williams@archant. co.uk) please contact the Independent Press Standards Cambridgeshire. sponsors – often charities or Of the 40 sponsored academies special measures. Organisation, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London, EC1 The academy programme businessmen. in Norfolk, 14 are secondary Academies and free schools 2JD, or via [email protected]. More information about schools. – effectively brand-new IPSO and its regulations can be found at www.ipso.co.uk was launched by the Labour The coalition government government to turn around massively expanded the Nationally, there has been academies started from under-performing schools programme, first by concern about the performance scratch – have been one by removing them from encouraging top-rated schools of schools in some of the larger of the government’s most local authority influence to become academies – academy chains that expanded controversial education and handing them to outside ‘converter academies’ – and rapidly, and there is now more policies. Eastern Daily Press Friday, February 6, 2015 15

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in 2012. Inset, Dick Palmer, chairman of governors and chief executive of the academy’s sponsors, the TEN Group. Accounts reveal how much academy chiefs are paid

The accounts of individual academies, and of organisations that sponsor a number of academies, reveal the salaries of top-paid members of staff. Of the nationwide academy chains with a presence in Norfolk, Toby Salt, the chief executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, whose 37 schools include 10 in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, was paid £150,000-160,000. The group’s second highest paid member was Nicole McCartney, executive principal of in Gorleston, as individual as you... who was paid £140,000-150,000. I From left, Nicole McCartney, Jon Platten and David Brunton. Her 28pc rise was because she took on a trust-wide, board-level The accounts of Norfolk £120,000-£125,000, including specialist of occasionwear for role on the senior management Educational Services, the part employer pension contributions, mother of the Bride/Groom team and became a regional of the Transforming Education while David Brunton, then- director. in Norfolk (TEN) Group that principal of the county’s second Ian Cleland, chief executive employs chief executive Dick academy, City Academy Norwich, Luis Civit • Condici the Academies Transformation Palmer, have not been published was paid £100,000-110,000. Zeila • Cabotine Trust, whose 16 schools include yet. Of primary school academies, eight in Norfolk and Suffolk, was However, a spokesman said none of the 20 members of staff Daniella • Gina Bacconi paid £160,000-£170,000. that, including performance at Arden Grove Infants were Of the local academy trusts, related pay, Mr Palmer was paid paid more than £60,000, while Sizes 8 -20 Dame Rachel de Souza, chief £176,000 in 2012-13, rising to six of the 47 members of staff executive of the Inspiration £191,000 in 2013-14. at Cliff Park infant and junior Trust, which has 10 schools in Jon Platten, principal of schools were paid more than Open: Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm Norfolk and Suffolk, was paid Norfolk’s first academy, the Open £60,000, including one who was £140,000-150,000. Academy, was paid paid £90,000-100,000. 24 Church St, Sheringham NR26 8QS | 01263 823149 www.oliviasofsheringham.co.uk 14 Saturday, February 7, 2015 Eastern Daily Press

Like us at: NEWS local www.facebook.com/edp24 Eastern Daily Press SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1870 Finances of Norfolk academy Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE Switchboard 01603 628311 Norwich Newsdesk 07501 481521 Editor Nigel Pickover Managing editor Tim Williams chains are put under microscope Assistant editor David Powles Head of news Ian Clarke Head of sport Chris Lakey Business editor Ben Woods Political editor Annabelle Dickson Letters editor Pete Kelley In the second part of a Fashion editor Emma Harrowing Agriculture Chris Hill series looking at the Features editor Trevor Heaton Feature writer Stacia Briggs accounts of academy Picture editor Steve Adams Crime Peter Walsh schools, MARTIN Health Tom Bristow Education Martin George Tourism Stephen Pullinger GEORGE looks at Public Affairs Dan Grimmer Graphic journalist Annette Hudson Norfolk-based academy What’s On Simon Parkin Editorial fax 01603 623872 chains at different E-MAIL To contact any of our staff reporters or stages of evolution. correspondents use this style: [email protected] Newsdesk [email protected] Letters [email protected] The Inspiration Trust ADVERTISING Over the past two years, the trust

Manager Andy Orchard has grown to sponsor 10 primaries, Advertising 01603 772858 Classified 01603 660101 secondaries and sixth forms in Leaflets 01603 772130 Norfolk and Suffolk.

Photo sales 01603 772449 Its accounts outline how it adopted www.edp24.co.uk/buyaphoto Postal subscriptions 01603 772738 a more centralised governance model Advertising fax 01603 623225 for 2014-15, with the trust board Email [email protected] taking on detailed consideration of RECRUITMENT Telephone 01603 693868 all the schools’ finances, and school Email [email protected] governing bodies playing an “advi- PROPERTY sory monitoring role”. Property editor Caroline Culot Telephone 01603 772492 The accounts reveal building and improvement works for Jane Austen

BECCLES 01502 712060 College, which opened in September, 20 Blyburgate, Beccles NR34 9TB Community editor David Lennard cost £5m and £3.2m respectively. CROMER 01263 512732 An accountant found three times 31 Church Street, Cromer NR27 9ES when the trust “failed to apply” its Community editor Richard Batson tendering policy, contrary to the DEREHAM 01362 854701 Academies Financial Handbook 2013. Bond House, High St, Dereham NR19 1DZ Community editor Adam Lazzari A spokesman for the trust said: “It is not always possible for us to meet DISS 01379 651153 26 Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AD the required three quotes in response Community editor Anthony Carroll to a tendering process simply because FAKENHAM 01328 862678 not enough companies respond to the

22 Norwich Street, Fakenham NR21 9AE process.” Community editor Chris Bishop He said the contracts were for GREAT YARMOUTH 01493 847954 169 King Street, Yarmouth NR30 2PA catering services at Norwich Community editor Anne Edwards Primary Academy, where two bids KING’S LYNN 01553 778680 were received, cleaning services at St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, , where one bid was King’s Lynn PE30 1LT received, and furniture and IT equip- Chief reporter David Bale ment at the Inspiration Trust offices, LONDON 020 7219 3384 I which were in part donated by Aviva. Cromer Academy headteacher Penny Bignell and, inset, Ian Cleland of the Press Gallery, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Pictures: Political editor Annabelle Dickson Academy Transformation Trust. ANTONY KELLY/IAN BURT LOWESTOFT 01502 525835 CWA Academies Trust 147 London Road Nth, Lowestoft NR32 1NB The trust, sponsored by the College schools during 2013-14, but five more Charging schools Community editor Andrew Papworth of West Anglia in King’s Lynn, has have joined since, with “a number of Most academy group provide serv- MARCH 01354 661915 Audmoor House, 93 High Street, March PE15 9LH three high schools, King’s Lynn and other schools” in the process of ices to their schools, such a finance, Community editor John Elworthy King Edward VII academies, which converting. legal and school improvement, SWAFFHAM 01362 854703 are co-located, and Downham Market The accounts said the trust “has usually funded by ‘top slicing’ part of Senior reporter Kate Scotter Academy, and two primaries. invested significantly in staffing each school’s government grant. THETFORD 07584 503055 Its accounts say it is “anticipated” resources and system development”. Inspiration charges 4pc, but its

Community editor Andrew Fitchett that the number of academies will It is currently advertising for an accounts said this is then varied Twit ter: twitter.com/edp24 grow beyond the current five, but academies improvement director. depending on the amount of input Facebook: facebook.com/edp24 “the current focus has to be on The Ely trust had six schools by they need, the quality of their infra-

SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS): For full improving the performance of the August 31, with seven joining since; structure, and ability to pay. competition terms, privacy policy and opt out visit www. edp24.co.uk/terms. By responding to promotions, offers give academies that form part of the two more were due to join this month. was charged and competitions you agree that the EDP and other trust”. £114,000, Norwich Primary Academy high school and £25,000 per primary, Archant companies may contact you by email, post or It is currently advertising for a Heart Education Trust £83,678, and Cromer Academy £50,000. plus a charge of up to 3.5pc depend- SMS with offers that may be of interest. You will not be charged for receiving these messages. You may opt out vice principal and heads of school for Heart sponsors Heartsease The Norwich diocese charges £75 ing on Ofsted ranking and needs. anytime by texting STOP to the originating number. Material King’s Lynn Academy and King Primary Academy in Norwich, and per pupil for ‘good’ and better Academy Transformation Trust accepted for publication in the EDP may also be published Edward VII, to help “create a its main objectives for 2013-14 schools, £95 for schools with a charged £150,000 to secondary on the internet. dynamic ‘campus’ where the best of included establishing a multi-acad- ‘requires improvement’ rating, and schools, and £40,000 to primary The Eastern Daily Press and its journalists are committed provision is shared, whilst maintain- emy trust “to embed a staffing £110 for those in special measures. schools, but is reviewing this. to abiding by the Society of Editors Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which can’t be resolved by Eastern Daily ing distinct identities for two restructure at the sponsor academy Ely charges a flat percentage of their Press managing editor Tim Williams (tim.williams@archant. academies”. in preparation for the trustee’s plans month’s government grant funding, We have been asked to point out co.uk) please contact the Independent Press Standards to establish new academies in the with the percentage varying “depend- only two members of the Cliff Park Organisation, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London, EC1 2JD, or via [email protected]. More information about Diocesan academy trusts next period”. ing on the level of assistance thought infant and junior schools earned over IPSO and its regulations can be found at www.ipso.co.uk The two diocesan academy trusts - To mitigate the risk of new to be required for the following year”. £60,000 (gross) in the 12 months to 31 Norwich and Ely – are the fastest academies failing to improve within CWA did not provide any central August 31, 2014. The figures published growing academy trusts in the 12 months, its accounts said it services in 2013-14, but it accounts in yesterday’s EDP related to 17 region, attracting many church delayed establishing new academies said it would start to in 2014-15. months from April 2013. schools with Ofsted ratings ranging until new trustees had been recruited Ormiston had charged a flat rate of from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’. and trained in the current financial £140,000 per high school, but new I Do you have an education story? The Norwich diocese had three year. schools are now charged £60,000 per Email [email protected] 14 Monday, February 9, 2015 Eastern Daily Press

Like us at: NEWS local www.facebook.com/edp24 Eastern Daily Press SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1870 Savings are needed as academies Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE Switchboard 01603 628311 Norwich Newsdesk 07501 481521 Editor Nigel Pickover Managing editor Tim Williams Assistant editor David Powles Head of news Ian Clarke show budget gap in their accounts Head of sport Chris Lakey Business editor Ben Woods Political editor Annabelle Dickson Letters editor Pete Kelley In the third part of a Fashion editor Emma Harrowing Agriculture Chris Hill series looking at Features editor Trevor Heaton Feature writer Stacia Briggs recently-published Picture editor Steve Adams Crime Peter Walsh accounts of academy Health Tom Bristow Education Martin George Tourism Stephen Pullinger schools, education Public Affairs Dan Grimmer Graphic journalist Annette Hudson correspondent What’s On Simon Parkin Editorial fax 01603 623872 MARTIN GEORGE E-MAIL To contact any of our staff reporters or looks at financial correspondents use this style: [email protected] challenges some are Newsdesk [email protected] Letters [email protected] ADVERTISING facing Manager Andy Orchard Advertising 01603 772858 Classified 01603 660101 Leaflets 01603 772130 Thetford Academy is planning to

Photo sales 01603 772449 make £1.5m in savings in the current www.edp24.co.uk/buyaphoto Postal subscriptions 01603 772738 financial year, on top of £570,000 in Advertising fax 01603 623225 2013-14. Email [email protected] The need to make savings comes RECRUITMENT Telephone 01603 693868 because governors identified “the Email [email protected] risk of a significant budget gap over PROPERTY the medium term” that governors Property editor Caroline Culot Telephone 01603 772492 identified. Its accounts show the school,

BECCLES 01502 712060 which had an income of £7.99m last 20 Blyburgate, Beccles NR34 9TB Community editor David Lennard year, had a deficit of £338,000 – up CROMER 01263 512732 from £75,000 the previous year. 31 Church Street, Cromer NR27 9ES The academy formally transferred Community editor Richard Batson from its previous sponsors to the DEREHAM 01362 854701 Inspiration Trust in September 2014. Bond House, High St, Dereham NR19 1DZ Community editor Adam Lazzari The Inspiration Trust’s accounts showed its flagship maths and DISS 01379 651153 26 Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AD science free school, the Sir Isaac Community editor Anthony Carroll Newton Sixth Form, had a £100,481 FAKENHAM 01328 862678 deficit, blamed on potential students

22 Norwich Street, Fakenham NR21 9AE being deterred by delays securing a Community editor Chris Bishop permanent location. GREAT YARMOUTH 01493 847954 I Thetford Academy head Adrian Ball will be making £1.5m savings in the current financial year. 169 King Street, Yarmouth NR30 2PA Its original application form was Community editor Anne Edwards based on having 220 students in its KING’S LYNN 01553 778680 first year, but in January 2014 it had (ATT) since November 2012, had a Planning for falling rolls St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, 69. The accounts said the new intake £267,000 deficit. King’s Lynn PE30 1LT for 2014-15 was double that of the first ATT managing director Joyce Chief reporter David Bale Pupil numbers are a vital adjustment process leading to year, “albeit still some way short of Hodgetts said the school joined with LONDON 020 7219 3384 component of a school’s staff being unsettled”. capacity”. a deficit budget, and ATT knew that, Press Gallery, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA funding and some sets of Flegg High School’s accounts Political editor Annabelle Dickson Hethersett Academy, which joined because of its investment and new accounts highlight risks from show a fall in pupil numbers LOWESTOFT Inspiration in November 2013, had a resources, “the academy’s budget 01502 525835 increased competition between from 850 to 798. 147 London Road Nth, Lowestoft NR32 1NB deficit of £35,527, blamed on a falling would remain a deficit in the short Community editor Andrew Papworth schools. The report said: “This drop school roll caused by the period it term but would achieve a positive Norfolk Academies, part of in school numbers was MARCH 01354 661915 was in special measures. budget in the longer term”. Audmoor House, 93 High Street, March PE15 9LH the TEN Group, identified the anticipated and is linked to Inspiration’s accounts said the She said ATT has invested £267,000 Community editor John Elworthy “strategic risk of competitors demographics in the area. remedy for Sir Isaac was to “establish of revenue funds into the school by SWAFFHAM 01362 854703 in the county, including the As the number on roll is Senior reporter Kate Scotter a first-class reputation and increase the end of 2013-14, and it received introduction of new free projected to continue to fall in THETFORD 07584 503055 the roll towards capacity”, while equal resourcing to any other ATT schools into Norwich and the the next few years, governors Community editor Andrew Fitchett staffing and curriculum changes at school, and there were already conversion of feeder, and other are aware of, and have started Twit ter: twitter.com/edp24 Hethersett had been made to revive improvements in results, pupil Facebook: secondary, schools to other to plan for accordingly, the facebook.com/edp24 the reputation of the school. numbers and the buildings. academy chains”. impact of this on the financial SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS): For full Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, She added: “Over the time, if the competition terms, privacy policy and opt out visit www. Some other accounts position of the school and Norwich Primary Academy, Cromer current growth in pupils attending edp24.co.uk/terms. By responding to promotions, offers outlined the likely effect of on future staffing and competitions you agree that the EDP and other Academy and the Jane Austen the academy continues, this alone demographics in future requirements.” Archant companies may contact you by email, post or College reported surpluses. will have a significant and positive SMS with offers that may be of interest. You will not be years. In contrast, Hellesdon An Inspiration Trust spokesman effect on its budget.” charged for receiving these messages. You may opt out ’s accounts High’s accounts said that in anytime by texting STOP to the originating number. Material said: “The accounts show the Last week’s coverage highlighted said risks and uncertainties 2013, local demographics accepted for publication in the EDP may also be published Inspiration Trust is in good financial financial problems faced by City on the internet. included “material decrease in indicated there were fewer health and, as clearly set out on page Academy Norwich, which is spon- income affecting provision” as than 200 students to apply for The Eastern Daily Press and its journalists are committed 39 of the accounts, we have plans in sored by the Transforming Education longer-term plans show falling Year 7 places in September to abiding by the Society of Editors Code of Practice. If you place to deal with deficits, which in Norfolk Group. Its accounts report have a complaint which can’t be resolved by Eastern Daily pupil numbers. 2014, but it received 250 have mainly been inherited from a £461,000 deficit, which a spokesman Press managing editor Tim Williams (tim.williams@archant. Its roll fell by 60 students in applications – 25pc from co.uk) please contact the Independent Press Standards schools the trust took over or are the said was largely due to having to September 2013 and by 15 the outside the catchment area Organisation, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London, EC1 result of planning delays impacting repay two overpaid government 2JD, or via [email protected]. More information about following September, with – and accepted them all as recruitment. grants of £479,000 and £317,000. He IPSO and its regulations can be found at www.ipso.co.uk further 20 reduction predicted there was spare staff and “We always put our pupils and added that, excluding the impact of in 2015. room capacity because two their education first in any plans to depreciation, the in-year position The report warned “falling existing year groups were deal with deficits.” was £1,000 surplus. roll and income will may [sic] “significantly below” their The Nicholas Hamond Academy in require a further staffing planned intake. Swaffham, sponsored by the I Do you have an education story? Academy Transformation Trust Email [email protected] Eastern Daily Press Monday, February 16, 2015 25

Follow us on Twitter @edp24 local NEWS Academies fork out £½m in severance pay

Martin George Payment guidelines Education correspondent [email protected] According to the Academies Financial Guidebook 2014, Norfolk academies paid out more severance payments are than £500,000 in severance pay to “paid to employees outside staff members last year, an analysis of normal or contractual of financial accounts has revealed. requirements when leaving The highest amount paid to a employment in public service, single individual was £41,390, given whether they resign, are to a member of staff within the West dismissed or reach an agreed Norfolk Academies Trust, which is termination of contract”. based at Springwood High School and Before making such a at the time also sponsored St payment, academies must Clement’s High and Snettisham consider whether they are Primary schools. in the interests of the trust, The payoffs are given to staff who and whether the trust would leave the school or academy trust, be likely to win a potential and agree not to take any dispute to employment tribunal. an employment tribunal. The handbook said the They usually also include a level of any settlements gagging clause which prevents them must be less than what any from speaking out publicly against employment tribunal would their former employer, and have been be likely to award. criticised for preventing whistle- blowers from raising concerns. Thetford Academy paid out the chains that have a number of schools most in total in the year – £96,000. in the county. The school filed separate accounts Ormiston Academies Trust paid I Financial from the Inspiration Trust, which out £342,344 across the 27 schools it analysis has became its sponsor in September sponsored in 2013-14. Three of these revealed 2013, and Inspiration reported payments were in the £25-£30,000 Norfolk three payouts in 2013-14 – one of band. academies £35,000, one of £30,000, and one of A spokesman said: “We can paid out more £5,204. confirm that in Norfolk and Suffolk than £500,000 When Thetford Academy’s sever- where we have nine academies, sever- in severance ance payments are added to those ance has totalled £101,799. All pay last year. made by its sponsor, Inspiration paid payments are statutory amounts out a total of £166,204. made within statutory guidance.” A spokesman for the Inspiration Academy Transformation Trust Trust said: “We don’t comment on paid out £466,000 – the highest indi- individual severance payments but vidual payment being £34,342 – but Picture: LIBRARY our policy is to keep them to a mini- said only £4,300 was for schools in mum in order to focus resources on Norfolk and north Suffolk. our educational activities.” West Norfolk Academies Trust’s I For a full list of severance severance payment bill came to payments made by academies in the £92,923; Wymondham High School Norfolk area, see our website edp24. paid out £88,524, including six co.uk payments ranging from £17,000 to £13,000. I Do you have an education The total £500,000 for Norfolk story? Email martin.george@ excludes two national academy archant.co.uk School paid out £88,524 as a result of redundancies

One of the biggest increases in staff severance payments happened at Wymondham High School, right, as a result of a programme of redundancies. The school paid out a total of £88,524 in 2013-14, to six separate members of staff who received £13-17,000. In contrast, the school did not make any severance payments the year before. Finance director Julie Cooper said the school had needed to restructure contributions, and the academy was because of falling income, with six now looking at staffing again. support staff made redundant. However, she said the new She said that, like other schools, it restructuring would not involve any would be hit by next year’s increase redundancies, but would be managed in the cost of teacher pensions and through the one-year contracts that an increase in national insurance some staff have not being renewed.