£1m more for ofsted’s Veterans get Book review: illegal schools £40k to teach, but from podcast to taskforce there’s a catch the page page 5 page 5 page 24

SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018 | EDITION 132

PROFILE SUE JAY | PAGES 14-16 Top academy trust shuns PFI contract schools

United Learning refuses any more PFI schools THE ‘HOODINERNEY’ CEO Jon Coles demands cap on costly repayments MODEL: HOW TO BUILD A NEW PFI contract delays deal for troubled WCAT school SCHOOL SYSTEM

JESS STAUFENBERG | @STAUFENBERGJ PAGE 20 Exclusive PAGE 3

GOVERNMENT FUNDED INITIATIVE

Bring Lyfta’s immersive content platform FREE FOR into your school with free Global Learning 12 Programme e-credits. See back page for more info. MONTHS 2 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018

Edition 132 MEET THE NEWS TEAM schoolsweek.co.uk

Shane Laura Experts Mann McInerney MANAGING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR (INTERIM)

@SHANERMANN @MISS_MCINERNEY KIRAN [email protected] [email protected] GILL Please inform the Schools Week editor of any errors or issues of concern regarding this publication.

Cath Freddie Murray Whittaker More than half of UTCs Page 18 FEATURES EDITOR CHIEF REPORTER in Ofsted’s bad books

Page 7 @CATHMURRAY_ @FCDWHITTAKER [email protected] [email protected] VAL GILLIES Tom Alix Mendelsohn Robertson SUB EDITOR SENIOR REPORTER Page 18

@TOM_MENDELSOHN @ [email protected] [email protected] New scheme helps heads JACQUELINE Jess Pippa with recruitment fraud Staufenberg Allen-Kinross VALIN SENIOR REPORTER REPORTER Page 9

Page 19 @STAUFENBERGJ @PIPPA_AK [email protected] [email protected] THE TEAM

Head designer: Nicky Phillips Sam RUSSELL Designer: Matthew Willsone King Photographer: Ellis O’Brien FEATURES AND HOLLAND Financials: Helen Neilly DIGITAL REPORTER Sales team leader: Bridget Stockdale #WomenED: Taking a Sales executive: Clare Halliday Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell @KINGSAMANTHA_ leap to leadership PA to managing director: Victoria Boyle [email protected] Page 11 Page 19

ADVERTISE WITH US JO If you are interested in placing a product or job advert BS PREMIUM JOB OPPORTUNITIES in a future edition please click on the ‘advertise’ link at THIS WEEK’S TOP AVAILABLE JOBS IN THE FE SECTOR. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION the top of the page on schoolsweek.co.uk or contact: PLEASE TURN TO THE CENTRE OF SCHOOLS WEEK. OR VISIT THE WEB ADDRESS LISTED E: [email protected] T: 020 81234 778 SUBSCRIBE For an annual subscription to Schools Week for just £50 visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk and click on ‘subscribe’ at CORE EDUCATION – HEADTEACHER – the top of the page. NANSEN PRIMARY – COMPETITIVE SALARY www.schoolsweek.co.uk HTTP://9NL.ES/3XT7 or call 020 8123 4778 to subscribe

Disclaimer Schools Week is owned and published by Lsect Ltd. The views RIVERMEAD INCLUSIVE TRUST – expressed within the publication are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Schools Week, Lsect Ltd or any HEADTEACHER - LEADERSHIP SCALE L18 – of its employees. While we try to ensure that the information we 24 FT provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. HTTP://9NL.ES/T54R The design of the printed newspaper and of the website is copyright of Lsect Ltd and material from the newspaper should not be reproduced without prior permission. If you wish to reproduce an article from either the printed paper or the website, HOWARD PRIMARY SCHOOL – HEADTEACHER - both the article’s author and Schools Week must be referenced (to not do so, would be an infringement on copyright). SALARY: £46,799-£63,799 (NEGOTIABLE) Lsect Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external internet sites linked to. HTTP://9NL.ES/EZ82 Please address any complaints to the editor. Email [email protected] with Error/Concern in the subject line. Please include the page number and story headline, and explain what the problem is. Schools week is proud to CORE EDUCATION – HEADTEACHER – CITY be a member of ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM – SALARY L30 - L36

Learning & Skills Events, HTTP://9NL.ES/YM14 Consultancy and Training Ltd 161-165 Greenwich High Road London SE10 8JA TO ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCY WITH EDUCATION WEEK JOBS AND SCHOOLS WEEK T: 020 8123 4778 PLEASE CALL 020 81234 778 OR EMAIL [email protected] E: [email protected] SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 3 NEWS United Learning refuses any more PFI schools

JESS STAUFENBERG Nova Hreod in Swindon, persuaded to bring services in-house, even @STAUFENBERGJ Exclusive which was subcontracted when it would be cheaper to do so, said Coles. to Carillion, and the John As a result, “we’re not going to do any more One of the largest academy chains in England Smeaton Academy in PFIs because the cost is too high and the has refused to take on any new schools with Leeds, which is financed day-to-day management is just too difficult”. costly PFI contracts because it has “barely any by a number of European If a contract is “less unmanageable”, United control” over the buildings. banks. Learning might still consider them. The 51-school United Learning has Not only are the Lewisham council has five separate PFI declined to adopt the struggling Sedgehill repayments extensive contracts for 10 of its schools. A spokesperson School in Lewisham, south-east London, but the PFI buildings said none of the schools except Sedgehill are which council documents show has a debt of remain owned by the currently seeking new academy trusts. over £1 million per year. original company and Malcolm Trobe, the deputy general UL’s boss Jon Coles has also insisted that can therefore come with secretary of the Association of School and any similar request to take PFI-laden schools onerous conditions College Leaders, and a former headteacher of over will also be rejected, unless a “more regarding their upkeep, a PFI school, warned the contracts are leaving reasonable” deal is on offer. including non-negotiable schools “in limbo” across the whole schools PFI deals involve private companies costs for routine sector. stumping up capital funds for public maintenance jobs, such The National Audit Office has said that buildings. The cash is paid back, often with as repainting or changing more than half (63 per cent) of the schools considerable interest, over many years. bulbs. recently placed in special measures had not Under Sedgehill’s particular contract, £1.09 Sedgehill School “Getting anything done found new homes within nine months, and million was owed to Lewisham Schools for does not want to take on the school without a is incredibly difficult,” regional schools commissioners will be rated the Future Ltd last year, a private company contribution to the PFI costs or a “cap” on the said Coles. “You have to deal with companies on the percentage of failing maintained with links to Costain Pension Scheme Trustee repayments. that have various agreements with the schools they convert in that time. Limited, the pension fund of the construction PFI schools often have escalating fees built banks, so you end up in extremely long and School leaders are “majorly concerned” firm Costain, which was involved in the into their contracts. As Schools Week has complicated conversations.” about PFI repayments and the government construction of the Channel Tunnel. previously reported, schools in Stoke-on- The school in Swindon needed new light has an “obligation” to find a financial solution Dominic Herrington, the local regional Trent see their repayments grow at around bulbs in the sports hall, but the contractor if schools wished to join trusts, Trobe added. schools commissioner, approached several £30,000 per year, and the fee is pegged to was slow to sort it and the school had been A spokesperson for the Department for trusts when Sedgehill fell into special pupil numbers estimated over a decade ago, powerless to install new ones, he said. Education said its priority was that Sedgehill measures two years ago, but they all refused and which cannot be flexed to take into Other practical issues included the fact the pupils’ educations are not disrupted. The to take on the PFI contract. account falling rolls. headteacher did not actually have keys to the school’s new sponsor will be announced by United Learning stepped in to provide United Learning has had “difficult” school. September 2020, with the new academy open support services to the school but the trust experiences with two PFI schools in the past: The PFI provider would also not be by January 2021. SEND PUPILS WAIT UP £1.6m annual PFI bill holds up Yorkshire academy transfer TO TWO YEARS FOR NEW CARE PLANS JESS STAUFENBERG opportunity for generating more income, say @STAUFENBERGJ Exclusive by letting out the sports halls for conferences, Pupils with special educational needs are because there are strict rules in the contract,” waiting up to 90 weeks to be transferred from A private finance initiative contract costing he said. the old statements system to new education more than £1 million a year has stopped one Instead, a PFI school would need a “strong and health care plans (EHCPs), according to an of the last schools left from the collapsed educational offer” if its financials were investigation which found “worrying patterns Wakefield City Academies Trust from finding lacking. A talented staff body could share of delay”. SEND pupils are all supposed to be moved a new home. expertise at their new trust, while a good onto new EHCPs – the new way of identifying Mexborough Academy is one of the last reputation and upward trajectory in results pupils’ support needs – by April. These replace two of WCAT’s 21 schools left without a would calm a potential sponsor’s nerves. statements of special educational needs, which new sponsor since the trust’s collapse in “But if a PFI school is in special measures, the government started to phase out in 2014. September. it’s going to struggle,” he said. But the local government and social care A hefty £1.6 million-a-year PFI deal was The government might deploy “emergency ombudsman has found many local authorities struck in 2009 between Doncaster council money” to sweeten the deal for well-regarded are struggling to meet the deadline, and with Vinci, a French construction company, trusts, he added. However, the highest revealed that around 80 per cent of the 140 and it is set to run for another 16 years. amount of emergency funding given complaints about councils’ handling of the The school is currently paying £600,000 signed, he added. The school roll was already out in the last year was about £200,000 – transfer process have been upheld. a year towards the contract and the council too low a decade ago to have paid it back, and only a third of Mexborough’s PFI annual Schools rely on EHCPs to tell them about pupils’ support needs and to access additional covers the rest. there are now only 655 pupils attending a requirements. funding for them. Delta Academies Trust is the government’s school that should hold 1,300. PFI contracts are coming under increasing But ombudsman Michael King found some preferred sponsor – but negotiations have Mexborough is also currently grappling scrutiny from MPs, following the collapse of councils are not gathering sufficient evidence dragged on for almost half a year as the with persistent absenteeism of around 30 the management and services firm Carillion to inform decisions and have been failing to trust tries to persuade the Department for per cent, while its sixth form closed in the in January which left cleaning, catering and plan properly for pupils steps up between “key Education to contribute to the annual PFI summer in an effort to cut costs. maintenance services at risk in hundreds of educational stages”. costs until the contract runs out, according to The school was given an ‘inadequate’ grade schools. “We know many authorities are struggling the school’s chair of governors. in September, and Ofsted singled WCAT out One other WCAT school is awaiting a to meet the April deadline for transferring Sean Gibbons, who is also chair at the for particular criticism. The trust had “failed confirmed sponsor, Balby Carr Academy, statements, and I want to stress they need to nearby Montagu Academy, a former WCAT to give school leaders the consistent and which is meant to be heading to Astrea ensure provision remains in place if transfers school which Delta already now owns, targeted support they needed”, and presided academy trust. Delta has already taken three to EHCPs have not occurred by the deadline,” King told delegates at this week’s SEN Law confirmed that the contract was the root of over low expectations and poor results. other WCAT schools: Montagu, Goole and Conference. the delay. Joe Scaife, a senior academies partner Morley Place academies. “In the cases that come to us, we are seeing “Sadly, nobody will touch it with a barge at the law firm Bishop Fleming, said one of A spokesperson for Delta said the trust is worrying patterns of delay, inadequate pole until that PFI contract has been the least appealing aspects of PFI schools “working with Mexborough academy, WCAT, evidence-gathering and poor administration, subsidised and renegotiated,” he told Schools for sponsor trusts is their hugely reduced the Department and the local authority” and this is having a significant impact on the Week. capacity to raise revenue. and is “fully committed to supporting the children and families the new plans were The contract should never have been “PFI schools don’t have the same academy”. designed to help.” 4 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 NEWS: ASCL PREVIEW PUT THE PEOPLE IN CONTROL, SAYS CBI LABOUR PROMISES FURTHER ACTION ON ACADEMIES PRESIDENT FREDDIE WHITTAKER PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS @FCDWHITTAKER Exclusive @PIPPA_AK Labour MPs will hold an inquiry into school The president of Britain’s largest business improvement and accountability in an lobbying organisation will today attack the attempt to “flesh out” the party’s education policies, Schools Week can exclusively reveal. government’s “parade” of education reforms and Lucy Powell, the former shadow education its “fixation” on exams, and demand that a new secretary, will tell delegates at the Association education commission take control of the sector. of School and College Leaders annual Paul Drechsler (pictured), the president of the conference today that the “unchecked Confederation of British Industry, will tell the explosion” in academies has led to increasing annual conference of school leaders’ union ASCL problems with transparency, financial probity and accountability. that curriculum reform should be driven not just Powell, a member of the parliamentary by the government, but by a group made up of education committee, will explain that the education leaders, businesses, politicians, young probe by the parliamentary Labour party has people and parents. been prompted by concerns about a crisis Dreschler will warn that the current debate in school places caused by “ever-increasing Lucy Powell Damian Hinds over education “isn’t serving anyone”, and that centralisation”. MPs are also worried about the lack of local knowledge about teacher supply there is limited capacity in school leadership, for greater controls over the way they are run. politicians are too “entrenched” in ideological issues at the Department for Education. which we know is crucial for school Powell will say tomorrow that Labour’s commitments. The inquiry will be an “opportunity for improvement.” guiding principle for the school system Poor funding for the education sector, a discussion” of the principles of “what The issue of school structures and is that “every pupil, whatever school they coupled with years of governments “moving Labour’s oversight and accountability accountability has become increasingly attend, wherever they live and whatever their the goalposts” in public policy has led to pupils policy should be”, and the direction of travel difficult for Labour in recent years, as more background, should have an entitlement to a missing out. the party could take to “flesh out” its 2017 and more schools have become academies. world-class education”. manifesto commitments ahead of the next Although the party initially wanted She will describe the party’s plans for a “Let’s dump the ideology – no more fixation on general election. academies returned to local authority National Education Service, Labour’s umbrella school structures and exam reform,” Dreschler The Manchester Central MP was appointed oversight, the rapid growth of the programme term for a raft of reforms including increases will tell the conference in Birmingham. “Let’s shadow education secretary when Jeremy and the subsequent downsizing of town-hall in school funding, free adult education and start basing decisions in education on the Corbyn won the Labour leadership in education departments has forced Labour to the return of the education maintenance evidence. To create consensus on what we want September 2015, but resigned the following admit that returning to a council-led system allowance for 16- to 19-year-olds - as a means from our schools and colleges and to give them June in that month’s failed leadership coup. is unviable. to achieve this principle. However, she remains a vocal campaigner The party also changed tack on the issue Labour is not alone in its concerns about the support, encouragement and resources they on education issues, and will express the several times in the run-up to last year’s school accountability. Investigations by the need to deliver. concerns of the PLP – the collective body of general election. Jeremy Corbyn initially National Audit Office and the parliamentary “And let the examination system accredit this the party’s 259 MPs – as she seeks to promote told Schools Week that a Labour government education committee have also highlighted – not drive it. Get this right, and we can help our her leader’s flagship National Education would allow councils to open and run new problems with academy oversight, and both young people thrive, our economy grow and our Service proposals during her speech in schools and take over academies. the current Ofsted chief inspector Amanda society prosper.” Birmingham. The proposal – minus the takeover element Spielman and her predecessor Sir Michael “The government’s approach to school - was also set out in a draft version of the Wilshaw have demanded greater powers to Dreschler will also call for an end to “the structures has left weak oversight in a party’s election manifesto, which was leaked inspect academy trusts. parade of government announcements that fragmented, divisive schools landscape, so to Schools Week in May, but was dropped Damian Hinds, the education secretary, make a good headline but don’t make a jot of that serious problems in schools are going from the final version, which instead focused will address headteachers and other school difference on the big issues”. unnoticed and unchallenged for far too long,” on opposition to forced academisation. leaders at the ASCL conference on Saturday. He will warn that children are “missing out” she will say. In September, Angela Rayner, the shadow His predecessor Justine Greening was by being made to memorise facts, and argue “There is a complete lack of localism, which education secretary, told Schools Week her heckled last year when she spoke about the is affecting basic responsibilities such as party needed to “move on” from the debate government’s now-defunct plans to open that there should be more focus on “wider delivering enough good school places, and over academies and focus on campaigning more grammar schools. preparation for adult life”. Britain should take inspiration from schools in Singapore, Finland and America on using schools to develop the “whole person”, he will say. ASCL: Give the DfE an ethics committee “They’ve had a healthy, open conversation conference today. “clear set of ethical principles to help guide PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS This is based on the seven principles of our own decision-making and support us in about what they want from their education @PIPPA_AK public life, set out by Lord Nolan for holders challenging poor behaviour”. systems,” he will say. “Not a debilitating culture- of public office: selflessness, integrity, “The purpose of this exercise is not to war-of-attrition dragging on since the 1970s.” ASCL’s ethical leadership commission has objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty point fingers but to support one another in The CBI represents 190,000 businesses with concluded. and leadership. standing up for what is right, whatever the nearly seven million employees across the UK, This ethics committee would consider the It also sets out what the commission expects circumstances,” she added. making it Britain’s largest business lobbying “emerging system-wide issues” in education from school leaders, with emphasis on trust, “Our commitment as school leaders is to – including the “unintended consequences wisdom, kindness, justice, service, courage serve the best interests of young people and organisation. and perverse incentives” created by recent and optimism. our communities first, foremost and always, changes in policy. The ethical leadership commission counts and these considerations are inviolable While it wouldn’t operate as a regulator, among its members industry leaders like regardless of accountability pressures.” a body like this would be “beneficial to the Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman, the Chartered The commission insists that the framework stability of our system”, the commission College of Teaching’s chief executive Dame is not a code of conduct, checklist or set concluded in its first report. Firm proposals Alison Peacock, and Professor Becky Francis, of performance indicators, but that it will be presented to the government and the the director of the UCL Institute of Education. should rather be seen as guidelines worth wider teaching profession in September. Carolyn Roberts, ASCL’s honorary secretary continuous discussion. The ASCL said it will ASCL has also written an “ethical and headteacher of Thomas Tallis School in adopt the framework once it is completed, framework” for school leaders, a draft of Greenwich, chaired the commission, and as will the International Confederation of which will be presented to the union’s annual said the framework is designed to work as a Principals. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 5 NEWS Ofsted’s illegal schools team gets another £1 million

FREDDIE WHITTAKER must be taken,” a spokesperson said. PA @FCDWHITTAKER Ofsted faces questions “We fund a joint team with Ofsted to target Exclusive over why the Lantern these organisations. There are clear powers Ofsted will get another £1 million for its of Knowledge was rated in place for authorities to intervene where illegal schools taskforce, as it comes under ‘outstanding’ after an children are being put at risk and we will increasing pressure to root out extremism in inspection that took place continue to work with our partners to look at unregistered schools. in 2015 while Haque was a how we can tackle this issue most effectively.” The watchdog told Schools Week it expects teacher there. The school Spielman faced questions about to receive the same level of funding as in 2016 has since been re-rated unregistered schools from MPs when she and 2017 for the next financial year. ‘requires improvement’. appeared in front of the parliamentary The team has identified 359 possible illegal The imminent funding education committee on Wednesday. For settings and conducted 192 inspections since has been welcomed by Geoff more, see page 10. January 2016. Fifty warning notices have Barton, the general secretary been issued, and 38 schools have ceased to of the Association of School operate illegally or closed. A further 12 schools and College Leaders, who ILLEGAL SCHOOLS: are currently under criminal investigation. File court artist sketch of Umar Haque told Schools Week he shared OFSTED CRACK TEAM’S However, not one case has made it to court, Spielman’s concerns “that and 82 of the bodies identified are part-time teacher at an east London independent the law as it stands is not strong enough and RECORD SO FAR or out-of-school settings, which Ofsted school was convicted of attempting to that Ofsted should have more investigatory 359 POSSIBLE ILLEGAL SCHOOLS has no powers to inspect. This is a bone of radicalise children at a mosque. powers”. contention for Ofsted’s chief inspector, who Despite having no teaching qualifications, “Ofsted is not even allowed to seize IDENTIFIED wants greater powers for the inspectorate. Umar Haque had taught an Islamic studies evidence, and the process that it must go 192 INSPECTIONS COMPLETED In fact, Amanda Spielman recently told the class and was allowed to supervise pupils through to prosecute the proprietors of 50 WARNING NOTICES ISSUED BBC that her “hands are tied”, and criticised aged between 11 and 14 at the Lantern of unregistered schools is labyrinthine and not the Department for Education for failing to Knowledge Islamic School. fit for purpose,” he said. “It is essential that all 38 SCHOOLS CLOSED OR CEASED put cases forward to the Crown Prosecution Haque, 25, was recently convicted of a schools are properly regulated and inspected, TO OPERATE ILLEGALLY Service. She believes the law in its current range of terrorism offences at the Old Bailey. and this is an area of the law that badly and 12 SCHOOLS UNDER CRIMINAL form is not strong enough. Although jurors could not agree on one urgently needs revisiting.” “We can’t even pick up evidence that we count of disseminating a terrorist document However, the Department for Education INVESTIGATION find,” she said. “If we find some unsuitable from his time at the school, Haque did admit continues to insist that the relevant 82 PART-TIME SETTINGS THAT teaching material we can’t even take that to another count of disseminating a terrorist authorities already have sufficient powers to CAN’T BE INSPECTED away, we have to let the proprietors of the document in relation to his attempts to tackle the issue. school walk out of the door with it.” radicalise children at the Ripple Road mosque “No child should be placed at risk and 0 SCHOOLS PROSECUTED Pressure is mounting on Ofsted after a in Barking. where a school is operating illegally action £40k bursaries for veterans to replace doomed £10m Troops to Teachers scheme

PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS @PIPPA_AK

Armed forces veterans will receive bursaries can be spent on anything. of £40,000 to attend university in the hope Damian Hinds, the education secretary, they will go on to train as teachers, under a said armed forces veterans have “a wealth new scheme designed to replace the doomed of experience and expertise that can be Troops to Teachers programme. shared in the classroom, teaching pupils the But officials admit they have no way of knowledge they need to succeed alongside getting the money back if veterans complete vital skills such as leadership and self- their studies and choose to shun the discipline”. profession. But the school leaders’ union NAHT has The new bursary scheme signals the end of warned the crisis in teacher recruitment Troops to Teachers, which has so far created and retention would be better solved by just 106 qualified teachers in its five years of addressing issues with low pay, heavy existence, despite costing an estimated £10.7 workloads, work-life balance and low levels of million. professional development. Another 96 former soldiers are currently “Teacher recruitment is currently a pipeline training under the short-lived scheme, but leaking at both ends. There are insufficient the course will not recruit any new trainees in numbers of newly qualified teachers coming September, and will come to an end next year into the system, but there are also too many when the current cohort finishes. experienced teachers leaving prematurely,” a The government’s new bursary will be open representative said. to non-graduates who have left full-time Nansi Ellis, an assistant general secretary of employment in the army, the Royal Air Force the National Education Union, said Troops or the Royal Navy in the last five years. to Teachers had “got almost nowhere”, and They will be able to claim the bursary if they warned such “one-off, small-scale” initiatives study a degree in the DfE’s “priority” subjects: are “not the solution to the deep problems biology, chemistry, computing, maths and faced by schools”. modern foreign languages. “What teachers need to see is a fundamental The bursary will be paid to participants in change to their working lives, not one-off their second and third years of university and incentives such as this.”

AM123 Schools week ad 129 x 165.indd 1 13/02/2018 15:18 6 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 NEWS CUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST PROGRESS 8 ‘IS FORCING SCHOOLS TO ASK FOR MORE PRU PLACES’ LINED UP AS NEW WHITEHAVEN ACADEMY SPONSOR FREDDIE WHITTAKER an investigation into exclusions practices in @FCDWHITTAKER FREDDIE WHITTAKER the north east of England. @FCDWHITTAKER Dave Whitaker (pictured), an alternative Schools are asking for more places in pupil academies principal and founding member The Cumbria Education Trust is the referral units for excluded pupils as a result of the Headteachers’ Roundtable, told MPs government’s preferred sponsor for the of new accountability measures, a senior that schools “need to be rewarded for being struggling Whitehaven Academy. council official has claimed. inclusive”. However, Cumbria’s largest chain, which MPs on the parliamentary education He even suggested that schools be denied

already has four primary schools and two committee have heard evidence from Dave Whitaker an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rating unless they secondaries on its books, has said there are headteachers and local authority officers, have a “measure in place for the number of “many issues to review” before its board who warned that vulnerable pupils are being The the number of pupils attending PRUs SEN, the number of free school meals, and the approves the takeover. forced out of mainstream schools due to has risen dramatically since 2013, and a number of children they take into the school”. The future of Whitehaven has been uncertain “cliff-edge” accountability measures and a Schools Week investigation last year found “They’d have to be satisfied with good since November, when the troubled Bright Tribe narrowing of the school curriculum. multi-academy trusts specialising in AP are and live with that and they could never Trust announced its intention to walk away from Ralph Holloway, a SEN services manager under increased pressure to expand to cope be elevated to that ‘outstanding’,” he said. the school. at Essex county council, told committee with demand. “And until we’ve got a reward, for want The academy has been at the centre of a row members that the government needs to Government data shows the proportion of of a better phrase, for headteachers to be over Bright Tribe’s activities in the north of “redefine what success looks like for the pupils who were permanently excluded from genuinely inclusive without the cliff-edge England, which came to a head last autumn school system”, to focus on holistic outcomes school rose to 0.8 per cent in 2015-16, up accountability that they face, then actually when Trudy Harrison, the local MP, was escorted for pupils. from 0.7 per cent in 2014-15 and 0.6 per cent this in my view is going to continue to from the school’s site as she tried to inspect “I’ve even had schools say to me you need in 2013-14. happen.” flood damage to its dilapidated buildings. to build more PRU places because of Progress Justine Greening, the former education He said headteachers also need additional Mary McKeeman, Bright Tribe’s chief operating 8, and for me that’s completely missing the secretary, told Schools Week last year that she funding to help keep children in mainstream officer at the time, resigned a few days later after point,” Holloway warned. was unhappy with the “varying outcomes” for schools. just nine months in the role, and the trust has Progress 8 is a new measure that gives pupils in AP, and the education committee’s Claire George, head of service at the since announced it will walk away from all but schools a score based on their improvement own investigation was prompted by direct Peterborough Pupil Referral Service, warned one of its northern schools. in eight subjects between key stage 2 and key pleas from schools to Robert Halfon, its chair, that the narrower school curriculum had “We are excited to have been selected by the stage 4. Its critics say it penalises vulnerable for a probe. created a situation in which schools focus too DfE as preferred sponsor of the Whitehaven pupils, and forces schools to exclude them for In an attempt to help the government much on how many pupils pass English and Academy, but it is early days and there are many fear of reprisals. understand why pupils end up in alternative maths and their Progress 8 scores. issues to review before the CET board of trustees The government has come under provision, councils have started collecting “You get to this point where as a head in a can reach any firm decision about taking up this increasing pressure to tackle a rise in more data about pupils in PRUs and mainstream you have to be fixated, because opportunity,” said Lorrayne Hughes, the chief exclusions and address concerns that schools other such institutions. In particular, the horrible things can happen to you, on those executive of the Cumbria Education Trust. are pushing out troublesome pupils to boost government wants to know the reasons why 4s and 5s in English, and those children who “We have begun the due-diligence process their own league table standing. pupils end up in AP. Ofsted has also launched can’t do that struggle,” she said. and we are undertaking risk assessments which will examine a range of operational matters including current and future capital and revenue OCR fined £125k after GCSE answers found in textbooks funding.” Whitehaven was under local authority oversight FREDDIE WHITTAKER until January 2014, when it was taken over by @FCDWHITTAKER Bright Tribe. By October 2016, it was in special measures. OCR will be fined £125,000 by Ofqual after In an open letter published late last year, staff partial answers to GCSE computing exam claimed that two thirds of the school site is questions were found in textbooks it had now so dilapidated it has had to be closed. The endorsed. remaining third is described as having “declined The regulator’s investigation has found to the extent that the slightest rainfall means the exam board had failed to “identify and that large areas of the building we are in are out monitor conflicts of interest”, when the of action”. authors of some GCSE computing controlled Whitehaven was one of hundreds of schools assessments had also written the textbooks. that had planned renovations cancelled when These included partial answers that were the ‘Building schools for the future’ scheme was similar, and in one case identical, to some controlled assessment tasks. sold more than 5,000 copies. scrapped by the coalition government in 2010. test answers used in the 2016 and 2017 The issue was flagged up by a teacher who The authors of the textbooks were also During bad weather last year, teachers said assessments, Ofqual found. had noticed similarities between pupils’ the principal moderators of the controlled water had been pouring through windows and OCR had “failed to take all reasonable responses and identified the solution in the assessment units, and had devised the tests. into electrical sockets, and even onto pupils’ food steps to ensure that the confidentiality textbook. The error made headlines at the They had declared an interest to OCR, which as they lined up for lunch. of controlled assessment tasks was not time, and was shared widely on social media. did not however have a “clear or sufficient There are complaints of “minimal budgets” for compromised in circumstances where Ofqual found that a code set out in the process in place to follow-up declarations textbooks, poor outcomes for learners, broken those tasks were prepared by persons who textbook was identical to the “mystery made by persons who had been invited to windows, constant changes in leadership, a lack had created training materials, specifically code” that formed part of the controlled write assessment materials”. of teaching assistants and poor support from textbooks”, it concluded. assessment, and found that pupils with OCR said in its own report on the matter the trust itself, which they say rarely visits the OCR has apologised, but insisted the errors access to the textbook, which sold almost that it had found “no assurances to confirm school. had “no impact on students or on exam 50,000 copies, would have had an advantage that OCR’s controls to manage conflicts Bright Tribe said in November that it was results”. in the test. of interest of its assessor personnel are ending its sponsorship of Whitehaven after The fine also relates to OCR’s failures to Later in 2016, Ofqual was informed that sufficient”. its plans to “develop a hub of schools in report suspected malpractice in its tests, and another textbook, OCR GCSE (9-1) Computer It additionally failed to refer 72 instances Cumbria” had failed to materialise and it now to incorrect guidance given to schools about Science, which had been published in May of suspected malpractice from the 2015 believed “alternative sponsorship” is the “most the level of supervision needed during the 2016 and which was also endorsed by OCR, exam series, 12 of which related to GCSE appropriate route for the school’s continued exams. appeared to contain a solution in a 2017 computing, to its compliance team for improvement journey”, although it warned that In April 2016, Ofqual was notified by OCR controlled assessment. investigation. it may “take some time” before the process is that a textbook, OCR Computing for GCSE, Again, Ofqual’s experts found that pupils Ofqual found that OCR had breached 15 complete. published in August 2012, appeared to would have been advantaged in the test if conditions relating to the assessments, and include a solution to two parts of its 2016 they had had access to the textbook, which decided to fine the board £125,000. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 7 NEWS IN brief 71% of UTCs get Ofsted’s lower two grades BBC REFOCUSES EDUCATION STRATEGY ON LITERACY AND MENTAL HEALTH Baker Dearing pointed out that if only the In response, some UTCs have since sought BILLY CAMDEN The BBC’s new education strategy will 23 UTCs that are still open and have had to admit 13-year-olds, while eight have @SCHOOLSWEEK focus on improving literacy rates and pupil Exclusive inspections are taken into account, 52 per either closed completely or become 11-to-18 wellbeing cent are at grades one or two. schools. The broadcaster will partner with More than two thirds of the university The organisation, which seeks to The most recent inspection organisations including the National Literacy technical colleges visited by Ofsted in the champion and promote UTCs, reports into UTCs, at the Trust to raise the communication and literacy last year are ‘requires improvement’ or said its objective is to have institutions in South Devon skills of a million children under the age ‘inadequate’, according to Schools Week every UTC rated ‘good’ or and Buckinghamshire, of five. The strategy aims to improve social analysis. ‘outstanding’, and claimed both produced ‘requires mobility across the UK. r e Other priorities include supporting mental But the organisation that oversees UTCs it works “closely and k improvement’ ratings. a health and building self-esteem in pupils,

B

claims the watchdog’s inspection regime is constructively” with those For Buckinghamshire, it

d r exploring opportunities for retraining adults

not designed to measure their performance that have yet to reach the o was the second ‘requires

L

and improving careers advice.

in the most accurate way possible. benchmark. improvement’ in a row. The BBC has also pledged to overhaul its Of the 14 UTCs inspected by Ofsted The brainchild of former The college had just 147 Bitesize service to offer personalised career between February 2017 and February 2018, education secretary Lord students on roll, despite advice, and wants to work with organisations just four, or 29 per cent, were rated ‘good’. Baker, the UTCs programme a capacity of 600, in the last including the Open University to explore None at all were rated ‘outstanding’. was launched in 2011 by the then- academic year. helping people gain new skills to increase Meanwhile, 10, or 71 per cent, were education secretary Michael Gove. Inspectors who visited in January said employment prospects. ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’. However, it has recently emerged that that overall progress in English, maths and James Purnell, the director of BBC radio The Baker Dearing Trust told Schools Gove was forced to create the institutions by science has been “well below” the national and education, said the new approach, which launched on Thursday, would aim to have a Week that UTCs are “new and innovative” George Osborne and David Cameron. David average for the last three years, and the “positive impact on people’s lives, especially colleges which are inspected “before many Laws, who served as schools minister in the quality of teaching is “inconsistent”. those from disadvantaged backgrounds”. of them have a settled position in the local coalition government from 2012 to 2015, South Devon UTC was inspected for the education landscape”. told Schools Week last month that Gove had first time in January. The college currently NEU DEMANDS ACTION ON Its spokesperson claimed that the trust “never liked” the policy, but had it “imposed” has just over 200 pupils, but senior leaders TEACHING’S GENDER PAY GAP hopes that “over time”, the “outstanding on him by the former chancellor and prime were criticised because they have “not The country’s largest education union wants to destinations” found at UTCs will “carry more minister. secured consistently effective” teaching as it make teaching a “genuinely equal” profession weight” in Ofsted reports. UTCs have attracted strong criticism over has grown in size. for women. A total of 29 of the 14-to-19 technical the years as many have struggled to recruit An investigation in January by FE Week To mark International Women’s Day on institutions – including several which have the right number of pupils at the age of 14. revealed that almost every UTC missed their Thursday, the National Education Union since closed – have now been inspected, of Many of the scheme’s critics, especially recruitment targets last year, leaving them challenged the government to address the which 17 (59 per cent) had the lowest two those in the schools community, say that with combined debts of over £11 million. fact that while teaching is a predominantly grades. This is compared to just 11.6 per cent pupils are not ready or inclined to move to The ESFA is trying to retrieve cash from 39 female job, women teachers are still paid less of schools. a different school at the end of year nine. of 44 UTCs still open in 2016/17. on average than men, on top of the burdens of unpaid overtime and the public sector pay cap. SCHOOLS MUST NOW SUPPORT SPECIFIC NEEDS OF KIDS IN CARE The average pay for women teachers is £2,900 less than for men (£37,700 compared with £40,660), according to Department for JESS STAUFENBERG good” at identifying mental health issues Education data. @STAUFENBERGJ and believes the greater issue is funding cuts The pay gap is even worse in leadership limited counselling services. positions, where women heads earn on Schools must appoint and train a member He also wants money for local NHS average £5,700 less than men in equivalent of staff to spot the mental health needs of services to they could support schools. roles. pupils who have been in the care system, Pickthall doesn’t believe the statutory An NEU pay survey last year also found according to new statutory guidance. guidance goes far enough. She wants a third of teachers who were eligible for Under the new rules, school governors schools to be banned from using funding progression but who had been absent for must ensure they have a “designated for previously looked-after pupils on other all or part of the 2016-17 school year due to teacher” trained to “understand trauma and pupils. pregnancy or maternity leave had been denied attachment” issues, as well as spot special The ‘pupil premium plus’ money, which a new position. educational needs among children now in schools get to help previously looked-after PRIVATE SCHOOL INSPECTORS CAUGHT care or who were previously. children, ought to be “ring-fenced” so it’s not RUBBER-STAMPING FAILING LEADERS Official data shows that over half (57 per lumped in with pupil premium money for cent) of looked-after children had a special children on free school meals, she said. Private school inspectors are passing certain school leaders even if in their own reports educational need in 2016, compared with Pupil premium cash for looked-after note they are failing, Ofsted has warned. 14 per cent of all children. Thirty-seven per children is overseen by local authorities, but The watchdog has delivered a mixed verdict cent had a social, emotional or mental health and must ensure other staff understand the schools choose what to do with the £1,900 on the Independent Schools Inspectorate, need. way emotional issues can continue affecting they get every year for each previously the inspection body for members of the Laws passed last year required every pupils. looked-after pupil. Independent Schools Council, after its annual school to appoint a qualified teacher to Designated teachers must also know “Very few schools separate the pupil sample check of its reports. oversee the academic progress of looked- how to access further support for the child, premium plus and pupil premium,” said Of 11 ISI reports sampled by Ofsted, two after and formerly looked-after pupils. and check their patterns of attendance and Sally Kelly, the headteacher of the Greenwich “regulatory compliance reports”, which simply But the updated guidance makes this the exclusion. Virtual School in south London. check whether schools meet the independent first time schools have been told specifically Where children are at risk of being “Heads will say it’s all gone into the general school standards, found that the schools in to retain a teacher who considers the mental excluded, schools should deploy “rapid pot for pupil premium pupils,” she added, question had failed on certain standards. But rather than failing the school’s health and special educational needs of interventions” such as one-to-one meaning previously-looked after pupils are leadership for not meeting those standards, looked-after and previously looked-after mentoring and counselling, the guidance not getting the resources they need. the inspectors still signed them off as meeting children, according to Jane Pickthall, the states. Data on exclusions and attainment for leadership and management standards. chair of the National Association of Virtual Looked-after children are five times more adopted pupils should also be collected, so In each case, inspectors found “failings School Heads (NAVSH), whose members are likely to be temporarily suspended from that their outcomes can be tracked as with which indicated that leadership and responsible for the education of looked-after school and twice as likely to be permanently looked-after pupils. management were not compliant”, but this did children. excluded, according to official figures. However the DfE left it up to schools not appear in their assessments of the school The guidance states that the teachers must Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the to decide how to spend the total grant of leaders. “identify signs of potential mental health Association of School and College Leaders, pupil premium money, including the pupil This practice goes against the ISI’s own issues” as well as special educational needs, said designated teachers are “already very premium plus. regulatory requirements, Ofsted warned. 8 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 NEWS LIB DEMS WANT TO NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOLS MOST LIKELY TO RISE AGAIN IN LONDON DITCH OFSTED AND LEAGUE TABLES JESS STAUFENBERG CATHOLIC PUPILS AS % NUMBER OF SCHOOLS % OF ALL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS @STAUFENBERGJ Exclusive 100% 18 1% FREDDIE WHITTAKER 99-90% 407 20% @FCDWHITTAKER New Catholic schools are most likely to 89-80% 287 14% open in London and the east of England if 79-70% 270 13% The Liberal Democrats have pledged to scrap the cap on faith-based schools is lifted. 69-60% 275 14% Ofsted and school league tables, in favour of a The highest levels of immigration from 59-50% 262 13% less “high-stakes” school accountability system Catholic countries are to the capital and 49-40% 200 10% that assesses teacher and pupil wellbeing. East Anglia – so the Catholic Education In a set of proposals due to be put to members Service expects the demand for new faith 39-30% 162 8% at the party’s spring conference in Southport this schools will be most acute there. 29-20% 90 4% weekend, the Lib Dem leadership calls for Ofsted Figures obtained by Schools Week show 19-10% 31 2% to be replaced with a “reformed independent the capital already contains the most 9-0% 5 0.2% schools inspectorate system”. Catholic schools at which a majority of the This would “assess teacher and pupil pupils are Catholic, indicating the Church schools where 90 per cent or more pupils Jay Harman, the education campaigns wellbeing, as well as results”, and focus on would seek to open more schools here. are Catholic. manager at Humanists UK, which opposes “whether school leaders can deliver future About one fifth of English Catholic The Church is currently restricted on the faith schools, said the revelation was improvement”. schools – 425 out of the nation’s 2,007 – number of free schools it can open because “appalling”. Party leaders also want school league tables have Catholic pupils at a rate of 90 per cent Canon Law prevents it from turning “A child should not be raised in a replaced by a “broader set of indicators, or more, but they cluster in London, which away Catholic pupils. However, the new situation which leads them to conclude the including qualitative data on pupil wellbeing”. has 147. education secretary Damian Hinds has said whole country must be Catholic,” he said. The figures also show that almost 40 he will get rid of the 50-per-cent cap on “It distorts their view of diversity.” This data would come from pupil and parent per cent of the schools where more than faith-based admissions to oversubscribed The Church “can say they are ethnically feedback on how schools are doing, as well as three-quarters of pupils are Catholic are free schools. diverse”, he added, but “religious diversity figures on how many pupils obtain university in just four dioceses in the south-east: Plans to ditch the cap were announced is just as important”. places. Westminster and Southwark in London, in 2016, but were put on hold after last Only two per cent of Catholic schools “The over-emphasis on high stakes testing as well as Arundel and Brighton in Sussex, year’s general election. They’ve only have 20 per cent or fewer pupils who share has meant the system has overlooked so many and Brentwood in Essex. resurfaced since Justine Greening was the faith. other elements of the development of the The small Catholic population in East sacked as education secretary and replaced But the CES spokesperson said Church child,” said Layla Moran, the party’s education Anglia has swelled in recent years due to by Hinds, who was himself educated at a schools educate more than 300,000 non- spokesperson. arrivals from eastern Europe, driving up Catholic school. Catholics, and “are the most ethnically and “Parents want to know their children’s demands for faith schools. Eighteen Catholic schools in England socially diverse schools in the country”. wellbeing is looked after and that they are taught Cities with Catholic heritage such as have no pupils of any other faith, the data “What this data shows is it would be lessons for life, such as first aid and financial Liverpool are less likely to see faith schools shows – and campaigners against faith Catholic families who would inevitably literacy, and have the prospects to succeed.” expand, as there is comparative little new schools have blasted what they say is a lack lose out because of the 50-per-cent cap,” Ofsted’s head of corporate strategy has immigration to them. Liverpool has 23 of religious diversity. he said. hit back, however, describing the plans as “disappointing”. Faith leaders and politicians beg Hinds not to drop the cap At a Westminster Education Forum event, Luke Tryl accused the party of basing its new policy on ALIX ROBERTSON the last government’s ‘Schools that work for and beliefs, are united on this one point: “outdated information about the way we operate @ALIXROBERTSON4 everyone’ consultation in 2016. whatever your views on faith schools and what we do”, and warned delegates that The idea was put on hold after last year’s themselves, it cannot be right for taxpayer- “results go down” when school accountability is Faith leaders, politicians and education general election, and the Department for funded schools to divide and discriminate removed. experts have signed a joint letter asking the Education has yet to provide a formal against children,” said Humanists UK chief “We’re not closing our eyes to the criticism,” education secretary to reconsider his plans to response to its consultation. executive Andrew Copson. added Tryl, a former adviser to education remove the 50-per-cent cap on faith-based However, Catholic school-educated Hinds, “That is the principle that underpins this admissions to oversubscribed free schools. a long-standing critic of the cap, told The letter, and it ought to be the principle that secretary Nicky Morgan, “but I think the The letter, which argues that the Sunday Times last month that he underpins our education system too.” diagnosis is outdated and the solution is the “divisive policy” is a threat to intends to get rid of it. Other faith leaders to have signed the letter wrong one.” “social cohesion and respect”, Organised by Humanists UK, include the Reverend Stephen Terry and They also want to scrap compulsory SATs at key s d is backed by 71 signatories, n the letter states that removing Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, the chair and stages 1 and 2, replacing them with moderated i H including the former the cap on religious selection president of the Accord Coalition, Derek

n

teacher assessments and “lighter-touch a

Archbishop of Canterbury i betrays schools’ duty to McAuley from the General Assembly of

m

testing”. a Rowan Williams, Professor D emphasise “the common Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, Rabia The party, which has 12 MPs, is proposing a Richard Dawkins, and the joint values that we all share”. Mirza, the director of British Muslims for so-called “curriculum for life” that includes heads of the National Education “We are all in agreement that Secular Democracy and the Reverend Iain relationships and sex education, financial literacy Union, Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin our state schools, of whatever McDonald. and first aid. Proposals for a “specific individual Courtney. character, should be open, inclusive, Other notable signatories include Liberal responsible for mental health in schools” have Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, who said diverse, and integrated, and never exclusive, Democrat education spokesperson Lord also been set out. she would vote against plans to lift the cap monocultural, or segregated,” it says. Storey, the former government whip Lorely The Lib Dems also want to end cuts to last time it was mooted, has also signed the It also claims that the plan to scrap the Burt, Green Party coleaders Caroline Lucas education by protecting per-pupil spending “in letter to Damian Hinds. cap is “opposed by 80 per cent of the public, and Jonathan Bartley, and the campaigner real terms, including in further education”. Plans to stop forcing new religious free including 67 per cent of Catholics and 71 per Peter Tatchell. Sir Vince Cable, the party leader, said children schools to keep at least half of their places cent of Christians overall”. Authors Philip Pullman and Ian McEwan “must have a well-rounded education and our open to all local children, irrespective of “People from across the political spectrum, also signed, as have academics AC Grayling, systems should not just be tick-box exercises”. religion or belief, were first announced in representing a range of different religions Steve Jones and Alice Roberts. He accused what he called the “Gove revolution” of producing “a Dickensian approach to education”. “We need to take account of information from teachers, parents and children views as part of improved qualitative and quantitative assessments of our schools,” he said. PA PA Rowan Williams Richard Dawkins Mary Bousted Kevin Courtney Sarah Wollaston Andrew Copson SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 9 NEWS NAHT PARTNERS CQC: Rate schools on how they meet mental health needs WITH POLICE TO BEAT RECRUITMENT FRAUD PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS “This would provide an people with mental health ALIX ROBERTSON @PIPPA_AK independent assessment issues including through @ALIXROBERTSON4 of the effectiveness of data sharing. This causes Exclusive Ofsted should inspect how effectively schools and academies in confusion and delays to The NAHT union is teaming up with a schools respond to the mental health needs supporting children and treatment, and improved Metropolitan Police website to tackle of their pupils, the Care Quality Commission young people’s wellbeing collaboration is urgently recruitment fraud. has said. and, in doing so, help to needed. Schools will be told about, an organisation The CQC’s review of children and young drive improvement,” the Dr Paul Lelliott people’s mental health services has also report said. (pictured), the CQC’s providing free advice about job scams to which found that many schools rely on volunteers “Schools and academies lead for mental health, leaders can report any fraud problems. to treat mental ill-health, and wants basic have such an important said the wellbeing of A Schools Week investigation last march support training for everyone who works role to play in supporting young people should found hundreds of schools are using apps to with children. children and young be “put at the heart of employ supply teachers, but union leaders There are also concerns about the slow people’s wellbeing, so every decision, be that warned that ineffective safety checks could see pace of reforms to policy, and delays to they must be supported planning, commissioning treatment caused by poor collaboration and encouraged to take a or resourcing”. fake teachers enter the classroom. across public services. whole-school approach that “We all need to act now SAFERjobs, a non-profit created by the Ofsted inspectors already consider how promotes mental wellbeing and to act together. If we police, publishes a list of verified organisations school leaders “ensure that the curriculum in all aspects of school life do not, we risk letting which signpost jobseekers and employers to supports pupils’ personal development, – and they must be held to account for their down children and young people across the reputable companies. It is free to check the behaviour and welfare” when they visit efforts.” country and undermining their potential in site, and free to sign up as a recognised body schools, but the CQC wants them to go A spokesperson for Ofsted said it will adult life,” he added. further. “consider how inspection can take into Although the regulator welcomes plans once you can show you meet the necessary The inspectorate should “strengthen its account the impact that school life and the to strengthen mental health support in standards. assessments of schools and academies to curriculum have on pupils’ mental health schools, it warned that “unless the pace of The website works across several sectors, consider how effectively they respond to and well-being” as it develops the new delivery is accelerated, these commitments and recently partnered with the Disclosure and pupils’ mental health”. It should also take framework. will not be enough to achieve the scale of Barring Service (DBS) to combat fraudsters into account the impact that “school life The CQC, which is the main regulator of change that is required to protect children who coerce jobseekers and employers to pay and the curriculum” have on pupils’ mental healthcare services, examined how different and young people from unnecessary distress health when it develops its new inspection services worked together in 10 areas of and avoidable deterioration in their mental for certificates that never materialise. framework, which is due to be in place from England and conducted 1,300 interviews. It’s health”. Ian Hartwright, senior policy adviser for the September 2019. worried that many schools no longer fund The government’s green paper on mental NAHT, told Schools Week that in a “massive This should include looking at how counsellors, and rely instead on nurses or health in schools, published in December, recruitment and retention crisis”, working with effective the new senior leads for mental trainees working for free to provide care. pledged more than £300 million to pay SAFERjobs was “a really good opportunity to health, set out in the government’s mental Education, health care and other public for “thousands” of new staff including help protect our members”. health green paper at the end of last year, services are not “working together as designated senior mental health leads and have been. effectively as they could” to support young support teams. An NAHT report from November 2017 found school leaders were struggling to fill 63 per cent of their open posts. SEND PUPILS FACE 45-MILE TRIP TO SCHOOL Hartwright said the shortage of suitable recruits is forcing schools to pay additional ALIX ROBERTSON transport costs for the council. Sue Baldwin, and council fees just to fill their vacancies, and that there @ALIXROBERTSON4 Investigates TBAP initially wanted to representatives next week. relocate at the start of the “We want to work are “lots of illegitimate and bogus recruitment Staff and pupils from a special school in summer term, but this was cooperatively with everyone,” companies” taking cash from schools. Cambridgeshire will have to travel 45 miles postponed after a consultation she said. “Leadership time is getting limited in some to a new location if plans to close their revealed opposition to the The trust will then make any schools, particularly smaller schools where current site are approved. plans. changes to the proposal that budget cuts have really started to bite,” he said. The TBAP multi-academy trust wants Niamh Sweeney (pictured) result from this meeting. It “If leaders are under pressure a service like to close the Unity Academy – Fenland in of the National Education expects to submit a business Wisbech, which has just 24 pupils, and Union said there had been “a case, including an outline this is really useful.” transfer them to another site it owns in St lot of confusion around who is of the consultation, to the Keith Rosser, the chair of SAFERjobs, said Neots. responsible for what and who local headteacher board in he regularly sees cases of workers charged for The Education Policy Institute claims makes what decision”. April, who will then make a police checks or training they do not need. that special-school pupils travel three times “I think TBAP were of the understanding decision on the final outcome. The earliest “We also see staff provided to schools further on average to school than those in that they could make the decision and they date changes can be implemented will be without police checks and other relevant mainstream education, meaning that some would just get it passed,” she said. “The September. Unity pupils are already likely to be travelling county council has now intervened to Baldwin’s headteacher board is made up documentation,” he added. considerable distances. remind them that discussions need to take of four elected headteachers, two who have “Our mission is to raise awareness amongst TBAP apparently has safety concerns at the place.” been appointed, and two co-opted. None of schools, workers, and the recruitment sector. Wisbech site, which is on an industrial estate Her union has “grave concerns” about the the trusts these heads represent are primarily We urge all schools to ensure any recruitment and “not fit for purpose”. The St Neots site move. based in Cambridgeshire. organisations they currently work with are also “provides better outcomes for learners”, “It would appear that they have little Tempany told Schools Week that one partnered with SAFERjobs,” he said. the trust claimed. understanding of the local geography, road family had accepted the move to the St In total 17 pupils would be moved to St system or the needs of the children and Neots site so far, and that four others have Schools Week recently revealed that one Neots, with the local council responsible for young people affected by these changes,” she concerns about journey lengths. online training company had published a job transport. Seven pupils are due to move into said. Staff are also worried about increased advert on The Guardian’s jobs site untruthfully further education. “I don’t see how an organisation that commuting time, she said, though TBAP will telling teaching assistants that they “required” Cambridgeshire county council said is based in urban London can make snap address this by reimbursing additional travel a non-regulated qualification in order to take its officers met TBAP and Department decisions about the education of vulnerable costs for one year and adjusting working on the role. It offered to provide a course for Education officials in February to rural kids.” hours to account for extended travel time. address concerns about the plan and Angela Tempany, the executive Merging the sites would also help staff who leading to the certification for “as little as £40 its consequences for pupils and staff – headteacher of TBAP East, said the trust attend continuing professional development per week”. including increased journey times and will meet the regional commissioner, sessions every week, she added. 10 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 NEWS AN INSPECTOR CALLS: OFSTED MAKES PRIVATE SCHOOLS POWER GRAB

FREDDIE WHITTAKER protected characteristics”. @FCDWHITTAKER Last year, Ofsted was highly critical of the Vishnitz Girls School in north London, which The chief inspector of schools recently faced it claimed did not “pay enough regard to questions about Ofsted’s efforts to tackle developing respect and illegal schools from MPs. tolerance for those who may have protected Amanda Spielman had quite bit to say at characteristics as set out in the 2010 Equality a hearing of the parliamentary education Act”. committee on Wednesday. Here’s what we In the same month, Yesodey Hatorah learned. School in Stamford Hill was branded ‘inadequate’ in a report that criticised its 1. Inspectors can’t link extremism in “weak” promotion of fundamental British schools and terrorism values, “particularly in relation to tolerance Its lack of investigative powers is preventing of people who have protected characteristics Ofsted inspectors from identifying links under the Equality Act”. between extremism in unregistered schools Ofsted can’t “selectively disapply the law”, and terrorism. Spielman said, claiming her organisation Spielman said establishing a link between had also had similar requests from Muslim extremism and terrorism is “something that is schools. extremely hard for us to have an opinion on” because Ofsted only has powers to inspect, 5. Ofsted hopes for a ‘more determined’ not investigate schools. regime on independent schools In particular, the inspectorate has no right Responding to Conservative MP Trudy to enter uncooperative unregistered schools constantly subjected to inspection in our Ofsted has been looking into cases Harrison, who said she was “incredulous” or seize evidence. private lives”. where pupils disappear from the NPD from to find out there is no process to close Spielman said the current legislative “I don’t think I’ve said anything that says one year to the next, but the numbers are independent schools at which inappropriate framework was designed at a time when this is about inspection in people’s private “concerningly large, and growing”. reading materials or “squalid conditions” are “nobody really contemplated there being lives,” Spielman replied, admitting it is She also described an “unusually found, Spielman revealed that she too had schools that simply would not want to important to work out exactly what settings permissive” system which does not require been “astonished” to learn about the issue. comply with the law”, and wants a tougher should be inspected. parents to register children who don’t attend However, she said Ofsted has had more approach to regulatory enforcement. “The last thing I want to see is troops of school, and warned that some parents are “constructive” conversations with the DfE, inspectors descending into every Sunday claiming to keep children at home but are in which regulates independent schools, in 2. Ofsted won’t inspect people’s private school and sports club in the country,” she fact putting them into unregistered schools recent weeks, and is hoping to see a “more lives said, arguing that a “broader category” for “often with a very particular religious slant”. determined regime in the coming months”. Spielman was asked if her desire for greater certain out-of-school settings is needed. 4. Ofsted can’t ‘selectively dis-apply the law’ “I just find it incredulous that there is powers is “mission creep by the state”. Spielman said some faith schools have not already a process in place to shut these Conservative MP Michelle Donelan asked if 3. Lack of data on pupils is making asked Ofsted to ignore equalities law during schools down and remove the materials Spielman was confusing alternative provision things difficult inspections. when squalid environments are found. That with out-of-school settings like clubs and It is “extremely hard” to get a handle on where Some orthodox Jewish schools specifically wouldn’t happen in a business, why can it sports sessions, and wanted to know if she children are if they are not in the national have “a problem with particular aspects of happen in a school?” the MP asked. was comfortable with scenario where “we’re pupil database, Spielman said. equalities law, especially the parts around Ofsted and DfE vow to engage with NAHT on accountability

PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS @PIPPA_AK

The way schools are held to account will be investigated by a new independent commission that seeks to find a “credible alternative” to the system of inspections and league tables – and Ofsted and the DfE have promised to get involved. The commission, which will propose an “alternative vision for the future” of school accountability and look at how Ofsted inspections could be improved, government had been “engaging” with the system is fair to teachers at all schools, was launched by the school leaders’ union Nick Brook NAHT on the commission and “will continue identifying signs of decline earlier, NAHT at a Westminster Education Forum be credible. Everyone recognises that the to do so as its work progresses”, while Ofsted incentivising collective responsibility for event on Tuesday. system isn’t working as well as it should. said it “looks forward to engaging with the pupil outcomes and accepting the “inherent Nick Brook, the NAHT’s deputy general The onus is on us now to come up with NAHT and others involved in this work when limitations of data” in making judgements secretary, claimed there is a consensus something to get behind and believe in.” it gets underway”. about schools. that the current accountability system is Both the Department for Education and “Accountability and scrutiny in education The commission also has the backing not “quite working the way it should”, and Ofsted have now indicated to Schools are vital, both for raising standards and of the Association of School and College said the commission wanted to address the Week that they intend to engage with for parents, who have a right to know Leaders, another school leaders’ union. current “vacuum” of “credible alternatives”. the commission, whose board includes how pupils and schools are performing,” a “We must have an accountability system “My intention is that this is a report former Ofsted director Sir Robin Bosher, spokesperson said. “Ofsted understands the which is more sensible, balanced and which can be used by government and all the director of UCL’s Institute of Education pressures that come along with this, and is proportionate and recognises the breadth political parties,” he told Schools Week. “It’s Professor Becky Allen, Alison Peacock from committed to working with the teaching of what our schools achieve,” said ASCL’s something to spark debate and thought as the Chartered College of Teaching, and profession to help relieve unnecessary general secretary Geoff Barton. to where we go in the future. National Governance Association chief workload and promote staff wellbeing.” The commission aims to publish interim “We’ve got the right people in the room to executive Emma Knights. The commission has identified seven findings in the summer term and a full help us come up with something that will A spokesperson for the DfE said the guiding principles, including ensuring report in September. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 11 NEWS #WOMENED: BRAVING THE FIRST LEAP TO LEADERSHIP

at Kaizen also happened to be one of promotional video as well as writing and ROBERTSON IN WomenEd’s regional leaders for the capital, delivering a speech to attendees – “one thing Rebekah Iiyambo. with my dyslexia I don’t like”. With Iiyambo’s encouragement, she set “I had a real week of being 10 per cent CONVERSATION AT up some online alerts for headships around braver,” she said, quoting the #WomenEd Newham and in special education. motto. WOMENED “I am dyslexic and I am passionate about Paver has big plans for the future and is helping kids who have different sorts of working towards “a massive outdoor project” ALIX ROBERTSON challenges to help break those down,” she that will allow students to tend an allotment. @ALIXROBERTSON4 explained. She is also committed to helping other to That same evening, an alert came up for a achieve their leadership goals. head of school position at West Lea School, a “Because I had support and coaching from Schools Week’s Alix Robertson attended the Paver had completed a national four-to-19 special school in Enfield. She went Rebecca and other people around me I feel WomenEd conference last saturday. While professional qualification for headship two for it – and got the job. like part of my role is to support and coach she was there she caught up with Vicky months earlier, but was hesitant about the West Lea has five sites and Paver has been and mentor others,” she said. Paver to discuss her whirlwind year from next steps. head of its primary campus since September. Her advice other women who are thinking teacher to head “I didn’t feel particularly confident about She has an all-female leadership team in about own leadership is to “make a plan”. leading a school on my own,” she told Schools assistant headteacher Sarah James and “Think about your skillset, where are your When Vicky Paver mustered the courage to Week at the 2018 WomenEd conference in middle leader Hannah Alldis. areas of strength? What other experiences run a session at a WomenEd conference in London on March 3. She was forced to start the school year on have you got? Seek ways to develop those London last year, she had no idea how much Leading a workshop at the 2017 WomenEd a building site, as newly expanded facilities things. You’ve got to be open with people too, her career would have changed by the time London conference with Kate were still taking shape, and also made it be true to yourself. If there is something you she returned to the same event a year later. Fallan, director of teaching through an Ofsted inspection just six months don’t know, be honest in that,” she added. Then a teacher at Kaizen Primary School schools at East London Early after she arrived. Sometimes it helps to have encouragement, in the London borough of Newham, she Years and Schools Partnership “That start could have really developed she continued, but she advised people to find had been working on her leadership skills and a former colleague from negativity amongst the staff because we motivation within themselves. through a distributed leadership model, in Kaizen, helped Paver to feel weren’t ready, but I took the time to make “I needed someone else there to go ‘ok, which she acted as a trainee headteacher. positive about new challenges. sure I met them all,” she recalled. what are you doing next?’ But equally you just This allowed her “lots of “It’s helped me to know “I was really conscious about building have to be brave.” autonomy over areas and year that I’ve got something those relationships and then mucking in with She has a postcard on the wall of her office groups, as if it were a mini to share with other them. I feel now we’ve got a real culture of now that says “eat the frog” – to remind her school”, but it also provided people, and skills that supportiveness.” not to hide from the things she doesn’t want the security of knowing that I can pass on to other The new site’s grand opening happened to deal with. accountability rested with people,” she said. just two days after Ofsted’s visit and “If you’ve got a list of ten things you need to the senior leadership team. Vicky Paver Paver’s head she managed to give an interview for a do – do the one you don’t want to do first.” UTC told to join ‘strong’ MAT amid financial investigation DEVON-BASED BAY EDUCATION TRUST HIT

PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS suppliers, and five did not WITH FINANCIAL NOTICE @PIPPA_AK have a signed contract in A multi-academy trust in the south-west has place. The one existing been handed a financial notice to improve by A struggling UTC must join a “strong” multi- contract was described the Education and Skills Funding agency. academy trust and improve its finances, as “brief” and without Bay Education Trust has had many of its after reports from a whistleblower forced “adequate detail”. spending powers suspended, and has been government funding bosses to investigate. For the three related warned it faces closure if it does not address The Education and Skills Funding Agency parties – the University concerns about its financial management. said ministers would pick out a list of of Bolton, Bright Tribe The notice was issued because the trust had potential new trusts for the ‘inadequate’- Education Services and failed to improve its position enough after an rated Bolton UTC to join this September, Greater Manchester UTC – initial warning last September. It runs two primary schools, Curledge Street after issuing the 14-to-19 institution with a the trust was unable to show Academy and Kings Ash Academy, and one financial notice to improve. adequate management secondary, Paignton Community and Sports ESFA officials visited last summer after they of conflicts of interest or College. Set up in November 2014, it educates received “anonymous allegations” of financial evidence of complying with around 2,000 children in Paignton. mismanagement and poor governance. The a policy that related-party Mike Pettifer from the ESFA wrote to the college has struggled to recruit pupils, and transactions must only be trust on February 23 to highlight concerns owes the government a substantial sum after Bolton UTC “at cost”. about “the weak financial position and financial it overestimated pupil numbers. Since September 2015, the management of the trust”. They found evidence that financial “This MAT will be from a selection UTC has paid £658,922 to the University of Pettifer acknowledged that after receiving decisions had gone unchallenged, and determined by the department,” the notice Bolton, £209,862 to Bright Tribe and £51,368 a warning notice in September the trust had that the lack of an audit committee or any read. to Greater Manchester UTC. cooperated and held “extensive discussions” with the ESFA, as well as making changes financial checks had caused “inadequate” The UTC must also develop an action Between September 2015 and December to try to “strengthen accounting and internal financial controls and management of plan to make sure that its contracts are 2016, the UTC, which was less than half full, financial controls”. conflicts of interest, including around all compliant with procurement law, had a chief executive officer and a principal, However, its position has not improved an estimated £920,152 in related-party avoid conflicts of interests, “accounting but also bought in support from the principal enough, and it is now obliged to commission transactions. irregularities” and “novel and contentious at Greater Manchester UTC at a cost of “external reviews into governance and financial The investigation started last July, but payments”, ensuring clear lines of £297,507. Officials were unable to explain why management”, including a review of the details have only just come to light after the accountability among senior figures. all three were needed. effectiveness of the trust’s head office and an notice to improve was issued last month. A financial management and governance Other issues highlighted included audit of governance skills, by April 27. The UTC, which is currently run by an review meanwhile reveals that of six suppliers relocation expenses of almost £6,500 paid Each month Bay Education Trust will also interim management board, has had most reviewed by the ESFA during its procurement to someone moving around 20 miles away, have to submit an income and expenditure of its spending powers suspended until the investigation, three were classed as and a compensation payment of £45,000 report, a balance sheet and a detailed monthly cash flow forecast. notice is lifted. It has also been told it must get connected or “related parties”. made without any proof of a business case If the requirements are not met the trust agreement from ministers to join a “strong” There was “no evidence of any formal or professional advice for doing so, and no could have its funding agreement terminated. multi-academy trust in September 2018. procurement exercise” for any of the six evidence of board evidence or approval. 12 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 NEWS

EDITORIAL PFI is an omnishambles – Well they or won’t they? Heckle Damian Hinds, that is… The joys of union conference season education secretary. are upon us, and the big question on He would be wise to use it as an and it’s still unfolding everybody’s lips is this: will it be third- opportunity to free the shackles from time lucky for Damian Hinds? leaders and teachers. Motivate the Almost exactly two years ago to the day, now we learn of situation where schools In each of the last two years, his workforce to seize an opportunity and Schools Week published an investigation are left to float around until a new MAT is predecessors have been heckled and get on with innovating in their schools called ‘Who will pick up the tab for PFI?’ flush with enough cash to absorb another jeered by headteachers. without waiting for permission. In painstaking detail, our chief reporter PFI debt bomb. In 2016, Nicky Morgan faced This was the underpinning theme of John Dickens (who is currently swanning What a set-up. What a scandal. What a shouts of “rubbish” and “you’re not the recent Headteachers’ Roundtable around the world on sabbatical) warned shame for pupils. Looking through the listening” at the NAHT’s conference, Summit – “we don’t need permission”. that takeovers of failing schools were history of PFI decisions, first dreamed up while Justine Greening got a similar A good leader allows and motivates hitting the buffers as academy chains under New Labour and continued under response when she addressed ASCL’s their workforce to innovate, create and baulked at the lengthy repayment Tory leadership, two key defences are conference last year. get on with the job at hand. contracts. routinely rolled out. Hinds’ speech at the ASCL’s annual Hinds is education’s leader, but will The stories on page 3 of this edition First, the private sector is better at jamboree this weekend is his first he be a good one? are simply a small extension of that delivering projects cost-effectively and major school conference speech as investigation, 24 months on. But there on time than the public sector (this have been a few changes since then. also sounds rather like the argument Back then we only had the National Audit for academies, but that’s for another An apology and clarification Office’s 2011 report that suggested PFI editorial). was not really the best value for money, Secondly, PFI was the “only show Readers may recall a story in last headteacher was fleeing the scene and asked the government to be a “more in town” for capital funds. Carillion’s week’s edition of this newspaper, without experiencing the sorts of demanding and intelligent customer”. disgrace has blown the first argument about the Diocese of Truro’s seemingly consequences meted out on the Now, after the collapse of Carillion, apart, but should it have taken so heavy-handed tactics, when it trustees. January brought a new NAO report that long? PFI is crippling our schools. New summarily order its entire team of We did this without first checking concluded, in withering detail, that the buildings and state-of-the-art facilities trustees to resign because of a drop in with the headteacher what their country has incurred billions of pounds are of course a dream for many, but this some schools’ Ofsted grades. reason were for doing so, which was in extra costs for no clear benefit by using must not be at the cost of front-line The ensuing editorial grappled remiss of us. We are therefore happy to private finance initiatives. services. with the ethical problem of just what clarify that this person will stay in post Take the Parklands High School in It would take a bold and brave secretary is reasonable action for a diocese until Easter, and that their reasons for Liverpool. It cost £24 million to build, of state to admit that PFI has been bad or members of a trust to take over a leaving are not related to the trust or was shut after 12 years owing to poor value for money. It would be heroic for perceived lack of outcomes. However, diocese. teaching, but Liverpool city council must one to release schools from the PFI debt within it we suggested the executive still pay a further £47 million in fees. And bomb and free funds up for the front line. @schoolsweek JO FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 EDITION 132 BS

CALL 02081234778 OR EMAIL [email protected] TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCIES

Headteacher Marlborough Centre, Hoo St. Werburgh Primary School Leadership Scale L18 – 24 FT

Are you a dynamic, passionate, and progressive leader? Do you have the skills and We celebrate every aspect of our pupils’ learning from their social and emotional drive to lead a fantastic Primary School from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’? Are you development and life skills acquisition to the national curriculum subjects of reading, passionate about achieving outstanding teaching and learning in every classroom? writing, maths and more. Do you want to inspire children through an engaging curriculum? Do you excel at developing your teaching and support staff to be the best they can possibly be? If so, There are over 500 children on roll, organised into 24 classes, with two classes per then this could be the role for you! year group in the main school as well as 3 mixed age provisions for children with additional needs. The Marlborough Centre has 6 classes catering for 65 children within We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, experienced and skilled individual the secure specialist setting. We also have a newly established nursery class attached to take on the role of Headteacher at Hoo St Werburgh Primary School, part of the to the school. Rivermead Inclusive Trust. At a recent external inspection, the school secured ‘Good’ with several elements of The ideal candidate will be expected to have a continuous presence within the school, outstanding. The drive for the new headteacher will be to secure ‘Outstanding’ across be responsible for leading and supporting staff as well as collaborate with the Head the school. of the Marlborough Centre which shares the site. Responsibilities will include the development of staff, relevant policies, training and the management of data as well as Visits to Hoo St Werburgh Primary School are highly recommended. Please email innovative leadership and being an outstanding practitioner. [email protected] for an application form or contact Karen Watkin, HR Manager: 01634 338348 if you would like to have an informal discussion with either Hoo St Werburgh Primary School & Marlborough Centre share the inclusive ethos the Director of School Improvement or the CEO. of the Rivermead Inclusive Trust. We firmly believe that every child has a right to an education, no matter what barriers they have to learning. We aim to instil in our pupils Closing date: 14th March 2018 noon an enthusiasm for learning and an interest in the world around them. We have high expectations of our pupils and staff and strive to provide a learning environment that Interviews: Week beginning 19th March 2018 ensures our pupils are challenged and make good or better progress in all aspects of their school life.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. All postholders are subject to enhanced DBS checks

Deliver a world-class education as Principal of a David Ross Education Trust Academy

The David Ross Education Trust is a leading multi-academy trust. We’re committed to giving every child attending one of our schools a world-class education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities.

We pride ourselves on our academic rigour, driven by talented, dedicated and inspiring teachers who help our students fulfil their true potential.

We believe in opening our students’ eyes to the world around them. Our academy-wide enrichment programme is the only one of its kind within the state education sector. Charnwood College Humberston Academy Lodge Park Academy Loughborough Grimsby Corby If you’re looking for a compellingly different home www.lead-charnwood.co.uk www.lead-humberston.co.uk www.lead-lodgepark.co.uk for your talents, why not get Closing date: 21 March 2018 Closing date: 9 April 2018 Closing date: 12 April 2018 in touch today?

www.dret.co.uk @DRETnews Headteacher - Nansen Primary School

As part of CORE Education Trust’s new plans for September, we are pleased to announce an opportunity for an exceptional leader to join our new team as Headteacher of Nansen Primary School.

As leader of this dynamic school in the heart of Alum Rock, you will have the opportunity to shape our new vision ensuring pupils come fi rst, receiving personalised provision enabling each child to meet their full potential in a safe and caring environment. Nansen Primary School is community focussed, driven by the positive relationships of hard working staff and supportive parents.

CORE Education Trust’s mission is to provide children with a high quality educational experience through its four CORE Values of Collaboration; Opportunity; Respect and Excellence.

CORE was acknowledged last year by the National Governance Association in its annual award category of outstanding Multi Academy Trust and was hailed by Ofsted for its “powerful moral commitment to ensuring that pupils succeed not only academically but also to become responsible citizens” when it successfully removed two Birmingham Schools from Special Measures in 2016. One of those schools, Rockwood Academy, featured in the top 2 percent highest performing Schools in the country against the national Progress 8 headline measure in 2017.

Apply by: 12 noon Monday 19th March 2018 School Visits: 13th / 14th March Interview: 26th and 27th March Job start: September 2018 Contract term: Permanent Salary: competitive

Following the shortlisting of applicants, if you are selected to attend an interview you will be contacted by CORE Education Trust by email.

The Interview will be held across two days and will consist of an Assessment on the fi rst day with a Panel interview and Media exercise to be undertaken on the following day.

For further enquiries please contact Maxine Whyte, Executive Assistant to Adrian Packer CBE, CEO on 0121 794 8558 or email recruitment@core- education.co.uk.

We are also inviting applications from other senior and middle leaders, teachers and support staff for all our Schools. Specifi c vacancies can be found on our website.

707464_Nansen Advert.indd 1 07/03/2018 09:24 JO FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 EDITION 132 BS

CALL 02081234778 OR EMAIL [email protected] TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCIES Headteacher Start: September 2018 Salary: £46,799-£63,799 (negotiable) Roll: 205 We are looking for a strong, capable and inspiring leader to be the new Headteacher for Howard Howard Community Community Primary School in Bury St. Edmunds. Having experienced a significant amount of change and turbulence prior to and since being placed in Special Measures in July 2017, the school requires Primary School a dynamic, passionate and committed individual to lead the school to success.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 6SA Applicants for this role will have a genuine aspiration for all children to thrive, flourish and achieve, regardless of their background, will be passionate about teaching and learning, and committed to working effectively with staff, parents/carers and the local community to raise standards.

The successful candidate will embrace challenge and be ambitious for the school and its children. They will have a positive track record for school improvement and leadership impact. Supported as part of a vibrant, crossphase multiacademy trust (CHET), they will join a team of energetic and driven professionals committed to inclusive and inspiring education.

We welcome applications from colleagues that share our passion for and commitment to exceptional, holistic education and that are keen to make a positived an lasting difference to the children and families of the Howard community.

Howard Community Primary School has an enviable, expansive site and facilities and is ideally situated in the heart of its community. Bury St. Edmunds is a beautiful town with a great deal of opportunities for curricular enrichment. Positioned close to Cambridge and Newmarket with excellent transport links across Suffolk and Norfolk, we are keen for Howard to become a centre for educational excellence and a hub for the Cambridge and Suffolk Teaching School Alliance (CASSA). We welcome informal school visits and conversations. Please contact Headteacher Recruitment at [email protected] or telephone 01473 263943 to arrange a visit or request an application pack.

www.chetrust.co.uk @CHETeducation Closing date: 13th April 2018 Interviews: 26th/27th April 2018

Suffolk County Council and CHET are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all employees to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks. ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCIES HERE!

JO BS

Jobs in schools, colleges and education; leadership, management, teaching and administration

We’ve made finding your next colleague easier.

Visit our website at educationweekjobs.co.uk

To place a recruitment advert please email: [email protected] or call: 020 8123 4778 CORE Education Trust is Proud and Happy to Welcome our New Schools

Headteacher - City Academy Birmingham

We became the sponsor of these well established Schools on March 1st this year. As part of our new plans from September, we are pleased to announce an opportunity for an exceptional leader to join our new team as Headteacher of City Academy Birmingham. As leader of this dynamic, city centre School, you will have the opportunity to shape our new vision which will include a major strategic partnership with Birmingham City Football Club. You will also have access to our impressive network of national and regional partners.

CORE Education Trust’s mission is to provide children with a high quality educational experience through its four CORE Values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence.

CORE was acknowledged last year by the National Governance Association in its annual award category of outstanding Multi Academy Trust and was hailed by Ofsted for its “powerful moral commitment to ensuring that pupils succeed not only academically but also to become responsible citizens” when it successfully removed two Birmingham Schools from Special Measures in 2016. One of those schools, Rockwood Academy, featured in the top 2 percent highest performing Schools in the country against the national Progress 8 headline measure in 2017.

Apply by: 12 noon Thursday 15 March 2018 School Visits: 6/13 March 2018 Interview: 21and 22 March 2018 Job start: September 2018 Contract term: Permanent Salary: L30 – L36

Following the shortlisting of applicants, if you are selected to attend an interview you will be contacted by CORE Education Trust by email.

The Interview will be held across two days and will consist of an Assessment on the first day with a Panel interview and Media exercise to be undertaken on the following day.

For further enquiries please contact Maxine Whyte, Executive Assistant to Adrian Packer CBE, CEO on 0121 794 8558.

We are also inviting applications from other senior and middle leaders, teachers and support staff for all our Schools. Specific vacancies can be found on our website. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 13 READERS’ REPLY email tweet facebook WEBSITE

Ofsted boss calls for teachers to prove get a bumper number next year to claim thousands. subject knowledge And if you ARE going to introduce it, then maybe Report schools that don’t the money should go to the teachers. Susan Coles // @theartcriminal let you talk to pupils, minister Blimey, but they're not even allowed out on Special-school pupils travel three times tells colleges professional development courses these days. further to school What a very silly thing to say. Rob Butler // @cleverfiend reply of the week Jahangir Akbar // We had students that might spend an hour in a @JahangirAkbar99 taxi coming to us (I can only guess how massive Janet Downs, Bourne Teachers have enough on. Good school leaders the LA transport bill must be). I know of rural would naturally promote staff CPD and the locations where special-school students have Whole-school assemblies by employers, training an even longer journey because of lack of local acquisition of new and modern knowledge. providers, recruiters, etc are among the worst ways of These chair-sitting leaders have nothing but provision. giving info to pupils. They eat into teaching time and ideas and theories. We need older teachers and those most experienced. Don’t frighten them. Profile: Claudia Harris only interest the already interested. A far better way is for schools to have high-quality careers education Men are paid 8% more and get 20% Nicholas Marshall // @Nick5307 and guidance in a generic work-related programme, larger bonuses at Ofsted They've done nothing. Achieved nothing and had no impact whatsoever. Where is the evidence to something like an updated technical and vocational Nicola Gouldstone // @nikkifayego support any assertion that they have achieved education initiative, perhaps. Imposing sanctions Come on Ofsted, you are the education anything? Just a Tory front to cover up the fact on schools that don’t offer whole-cohort access to watchdog. Learn, demonstrate leadership and that they have emasculated careers provision. teach by example. training providers will result only in lip service. Five ways the DfE could improve DfE doubles advanced maths governance premium to £1,200 Reply of the week Stephen Foster // @MrSRFoster D Gill // @Gill_Physics You mean all the things that should have been in receives a This has got more damn holes than a golf course. place before the DfE launched into the dash for Schools Week mug! Schools could limit numbers one year and then academies?

n marathon races, mile 20 is known as siblings finding out the score – disappointing “the wall”, the point when the energy in or delighting them depending on the results Iyour muscles runs out and continuing (often inversely). on requires overcoming every psychological Tests simply are stressful for lots of children. instinct to stop. LAURA March is not their wall, however, when every For schools, March is “the wall”. It’s the month test, however small, can feel that way. when teachers’ good intentions for their class MCINERNEY Don’t leap to conclusions here; I’m not a are in tatters and when, if things are going Contributing editor, Schools Week born-again exam-nihilist. Setting a test at badly, it’s difficult to turn them around in the the start of the year is critical for a teacher to limited amount of time left. The first instinct is gauge ability levels. Testing aids long-term to give in, the second is to look for another job. memory. And never testing pupils until they The third, and most important, is to knuckle are 16 seems bizarre: surprising children with down. Hitting the wall and a D grade at 16 isn’t going to help their self- Unfortunately, knuckling down is often esteem either. ungratifying. “Maybe if I get the kids in every However, schools might at least recognise Tuesday after school, and use online quizzes, how to get around it how testing plays out for some children and and send stern letters to parents, then we come up with solutions. Encouraging the use might make it,” thinks the wall-fatigued children even more often throughout the year online forums, which can be dangerous. of apps like MeeTwo is one example, as is an teacher, only to find that like a marathon to get them used to the stress. One thing they noticed since starting the internal peer-to-peer support programme. runner who tries to replenish by scoffing a bag For a long time, I was cautiously with Gibb app is that young people often have stressed Given the much higher awareness young of crisps at mile 20, things simply do not work on this. If children put on plays and concerts, responses to internal school tests which might people have of mental health, encouraging that way. run races and play football matches – all of seem fairly meaningless to adults. them to help each other is a great way to Feeling the stress, teachers become snippier which are very stressful – then why worry At the start of September one wrote: “I have empower them rather than merely paint in March. Pupils wanting yet another lengthy about exams? Give them lots of practice and all a science test tomorrow and I am really young people as exam victims. chat about their unfathomable Minecraft will be well. nervous! It's my fourth day of year 10 and As March hits staff, I wonder whether projects are shooed away as Ms Panicked But I was stopped in my tracks by a recent we already have a test! I am really worried I teachers need their own version of MeeTwo. desperately tries to write a revision booklet, discussion with the co-founders of the am going to fail and everyone is going to be The Education Support Partnership already and Mr Worried replaces after-school football MeeTwo app: Dr Kerstyn Comley and Suzi mean to me.” does great work – offering a free phoneline with punctuation club. Godson. It’s easy to sneer or shrug. Is it a mental of trained counsellors (08000 562 561) and As senses are heightened, we can all MeeTwo is a completely free app which health problem that a kid is worried everyone text support (07909 341229) that teachers succumb to the idea that children are also allows young people to write their worries and is going to be mean to them? Probably not. can access all day every day, as well as other feeling exam stress more acutely. Indeed, get moderated responses from their peers. But it does remind us that children care resources on its site. parents will tell you that anxiety amps up from It’s clever because it avoids the immediate deeply about their friends. Even if teachers Ultimately, the most important thing is that March. medicalising of issues and recognises that never read out results, children share them we all get over the academic year line safely Never deterred from his academic mission, young people sometimes just need an outlet after class. Admitting you did badly can be and with our minds still intact. The wall is Nick Gibb has helpfully suggested that, to for concerns. It also connects young people wounding if friends respond negatively. real, but it’s also surmountable. Keep going tackle March madness, schools should just test in a safe space rather than in unmoderated Then there’s the trauma of your parents or folks – and take care as you do. 14 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 PROFILE SUE JAY

LAURA MCINERNEY @MISS_MCINERNEY

Sue Jay, head of creative arts, Queen Elizabeth part in a Shakespeare play every autumn term. until 10 at night, and we perform between 6pm II Silver Jubilee School “If they can’t say a Shakespeare line, there are and 9pm. other ways to say things. Physically perhaps, “We don’t know when: they draw it out of a hat. ain is lashing down outside the drama or by bringing a letter in,” she explains. “There We could be first or last. We could argue that we studio at the Queen Elizabeth II Silver are a whole stream of ways I’ve learned of want to know because we’re not a mainstream RJubilee School, but inside there’s a cast communicating. There are some of our pupils school, but if we’re in for a penny then in for a of storm troopers, a school-uniformed Princess who I tell a line to and they remember it right pound!” Leia, and Darth Vader (holding a fluffy unicorn), away, and they will still remember it five years Not everyone was supportive when she first all prepping for Rock Challenge, a fiercely later.” brought her pupils over ten years ago; some competitive annual dance contest featuring more After conquering Shakespeare, she leads them feared disruption and others talked down to them. than 330 schools. into a term focused on dance. Jay’s own children “They would ask things like [she switches to a Sue Jay, the school’s head of creative arts, is all attended Rock Challenge when they were condescending tone] ‘Oh children, do you know blunt about the task ahead. at school. Seeing how much they loved it, she which side that is?’ They all know! Of course “This is not an easy event,” she tells the students, decided to enter her own pupils. they know! People’s expectations are so low who are focused on her every sometimes. That’s why doing this word. “There will be 63 people on is so important.” stage. There will be 85 of us in "PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS ARE SO LOW She is motivated in her work by attendance. You are going to have the premature birth of her own to concentrate.” SOMETIMES. THAT’S WHY DOING THIS IS son, who spent the start of his life Jay reminds that the dance is a on a ventilator. tribute to Carrie Fisher and Debbie SO IMPORTANT” “Ever since, I’ve thought ‘this Reynolds, “who died earlier this year, could be my son’. And if parents so you have to reflect the sadness, when you are “Can you imagine getting this group to want their children to do things, then I think it’s supposed to be still and controlled, be still and theatre?” she asks. “We can get in, but they our job to enable them. The world may not be controlled”. put lights in the wings, so you can’t get a ready yet, but if we can’t do it, then they’re not This serious version of Sue Jay is far removed wheelchair in. It’s a nightmare. There’s toileting going to get to do it.” from the exuberant one who burst onto the stage requirements. Then there’s transporting the At the end of the first dress rehearsal, the last year at the Pearson Teaching Awards giving a students over there. Some will have to come back students are happy. But Sue is unimpressed. po-faced Jenny Agutter a squeeze and explaining after we first rehearse There’s not enough stillness. Did they practice all with gusto why every child in her school takes and lie down. The day is from 10 in the morning the moves? Why were some reflective armbands SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 15

facing the wrong way? The cast is sent to regroup show-time. explains, almost apologetically, that she has no and start again. This, we are told, is the last chance A sixth-former reads the story of tonight’s tribute official dance training. Educated at Haywards before the big day. before Celine Dion’s ‘A mother’s prayer’ rings out, Heath Grammar School in Sussex, she didn’t Among the storm troopers and stars are a and pupils in long coats pushing prams, start enjoy school (“I was a borderline failing person”) number of staff members, blended to the point interweaving rhythmically. A television set plays but loved sport and continued turning up that it’s not always possible to tell who is a pupil in the corner and Debbie Reynolds wearing a because it meant she could play hockey. Aiming and who isn’t. The school’s specialist creative arts mackintosh sits a school-uniformed child with to get a place on the England team, she went to status means it tends to attract staff with drama, Princess Leia buns in front of it. Dartford PE College, barely went to lectures, and dance, art and music backgrounds. Quietly they Three pupils suddenly burst into lip-synced came out four years later with no place on the mill about moving set-pieces, daubing make-up song, dancing in imagined rain and twirling hockey side but a teaching qualification in hand. and sorting out slippery arm-reflectors. umbrellas. For a moment, Matthew – a young For five years she taught at Court Lodge “We can’t do it unless everyone is on board,” says man with Down’s syndrome, who will next year Comprehensive in Horley, where the children Jay as she resets the lighting board. “It’s a whole will start college – is, instead, Gene Kelly. His feet called her “bog brush” for her newly-permed hair team effort and you can see my dependency on shimmying perfectly, his hat tilted at just the right (“It literally did look like a brush”) but she stayed them. But on Tuesday, all this work will be worth it angle. It is glorious, colourful, and happy, but then mostly because the school paid for her to attend when you see the look on our students’ faces and the dark undertones of John Williams’ Star Wars its ski trip each year. After five trips, however, they know they are performing. They can’t get an theme begins and the stage is now filled with she felt a new challenge was in order and took a A in GCSE, but this is what they do. This is how storm troopers. An older princess Leia has shed the place to teach in a special school before coming they get to show off.” uniform and is wearing white gowns. Darth Vader to Elizabeth II as a nursery teacher. The set is all replaced. The lights go down. It’s has left the unicorn behind. All are standing strong, One day in a staff meeting the headteacher sombre, still: just like Sue Jay said. asked if anyone fancied entering the pupils for a It goes on, interweaving cultural references and dance festival and she said she’d give it a go. That lip-syncing, with sombre dance points, until a was 20 years ago. climax in which the children playing the celebrity “Also, please don’t ask me anything about stars from Hollywood’s Walk of Fame – with the Shakespeare, I know nothing!” stars attached to their wheelchairs – join the rest What she does know is the remarkable of the cast onstage, and the lights dim so that only transformation of the pupils who take part in the the armbands and the fluorescent stars are visible performances she leads. – each light representing one of the 63 people on “I’ve got a particular student who is a stage. wheelchair user. Medically, she shouldn’t be able Lyrics to The Script’s ‘The world’s gonna know to move her arms at all. At the end of the Rock your name’ boom out: “You could be the greatest, Challenge last year, we’ve got photographs of the you could be the best, you could be the King students and they all finished with their arms up Kong banging on your chest. Do it for your in the air. In the photograph, she has her arm people, do it for your pride, how you ever gonna stretch up in the air. She knows we’ve finished. know if you never even try?” Each child, in Medically, she can’t do that. Dance has some sort unison, motions exactly as they had been taught. of magic.” Children who don’t speak, children who can’t: all Seeing pupils make such progress through communicating. creative arts is why she is vicious about the Applause erupts and everyone is smiling. “You did government’s cuts, particularly at mainstream me proud,” Jay tells them, “now let’s do that again schools, and the way league tables are next week.” constructed, which are pushing schools to Later, in her broom cupboard-sized office, which reduce time for these subjects. is plastered floor to ceiling with movie posters, she “It’s so stupid. There’s so much scientific 16 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 PROFILE: SUE JAY

x

“IF YOU DEPRIVE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE, EVERYTHING DROPS”

evidence if you search for it that a creative She has one more revelation: this year’s people, and, you know, new teachers do brain comes out in your maths and science. Rock Challenge is to be her last. In July, she is come to us oldies sometimes just to talk to If you deprive your creative side, everything leaving her job. someone more experienced. So yes, freelance drops. “It’s time to get off the hamster wheel,” she workshops, I think I’d like to do that.” “So why would you strip a school of creative says in a subdued tone. “But I’ll be freelance. I Leaving the school, still covered by arts?” she asks. “Why do that? It’s the nice would be very interested in going to teacher thunder-clapping skies, I go with a sense the bit of school! Can you imagine going to a training and maybe doing something like golden Plato awards trophy meant a great school with none of that? that. Or maybe workshops for people. deal to Jay and her pupils. "Obviously other subjects are important. “The turnover in teachers is immense and A few weeks later it is joined by something I’m not saying they’re not but without the I’m worried that new teachers are going to even more special: the Rock Challenge 2018 creative bit…” she trails off in despair. be taught by pretty inexperienced young Perfomers’ Choice Award.

IT’S A PERSONAL THING

Which animal are you most like? There’re two sides to me. I love a lot of fun but I’m also quite strict, as you’ve seen. So whatever animal that is? Put a dog. I don’t really know. But I love dogs.

If you were invisible for the day what would you do? I’d love to go to the Oscars. Send me to the Oscars! I love film.

What’s your favourite book? The pillars of the Earth – I don’t know who wrote it! [It was Ken Follett - ed]. It’s amazing. It’s really thick. I love history.

Where is your favourite place? Salzburg. I learned to ski there when I was 21 so obviously I became an expert skier and at my second special school I decided to take a group skiing to Austria. Can you imagine! We went into the building to get boots and skis and we never came out that day! I hadn’t factored in a lot of things. But by the end of the week some of them were quite good. Looking for quality education products and services?

BESA members represent the Always look for the BESA logo entirety of the UK education when buying for your school to be assured of the best quality suppliers sector from EdTech and the highest value. to school furniture. Use the BESA website to source All BESA member companies adhere new suppliers and check whether to our Code of Practice, so you can existing ones are BESA members. be confident you are spending wisely from companies you can trust. www.besa.org.uk 18 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 OPINION: FOCUS ON EXCLUSION KIRAN VAL GILL GILLIES Founder, The Difference Professor of social policy and criminology, the University of Westminster

Pupil referral units are Stop siphoning children off amazing places to work into alternative provision

Exclusions are in the national eye at the points to leadership of teaching and learning moment, but the narrative around pupil as a consistent area for improvement in the Val Gillies spent three years researching them the opportunity to build good referral units is all too negative, says sector; currently much of the CPD on offer in-school alternative provision. We asked quality relationships with staff and catch Kiran Gill in the sector focuses on physical restraint her what the best examples looked like up academically. This more dedicated rather than learning needs. pastoral support would mean social and onversations about exclusions are Only a tiny crowd of people in England o be honest, I'm more than a little educational factors that often contextualise all the rage among politicians, but specialise in the skills needed to work in hesitant about endorsing any in- difficult behaviour (unmet SEN, poverty, Cthey tend to focus on three groups: pupil referral units – trauma, mental health, Tschool alternative provision. I think bereavement, etc) are at least better parents, pupils and the headteachers accused reengagement, safeguarding – alongside it's an indictment of the current system that understood and addressed. of pushing vulnerable students out of their the teaching and learning expertise to segregated education is now considered Many mainstream teachers have no idea schools. change long-term outcomes for pupils. Little normal and necessary. What ever happened what anxieties and adversities students So why does no one mention teachers in all research has been done on what makes a to the ideal of comprehensive education? are managing and no time to find out. And this? Specifically, the talented teachers who Having spent three years researching the more significantly, this space could help to choose to work in pupil referral units and experiences of young people that end up in ensure that young people's basic needs are other schools for excluded students. They’re in-school alternative provision units, it seem being met, from learning support to getting a shadow army dealing with the children Only a tiny crowd of clear to me that mainstream classrooms are enough to eat. Sometimes students just need most likely to have mental health problems, not designed to meet the needs of a sizeable a member of staff that they can trust to be safeguarding concerns and who need a truly people in England proportion of children and young people, on their side and advocate for them when transformative education. And there’s not especially the most disadvantaged. relationships with classroom teachers are even a collective name for this group. specialise in the We can treat this as a fact of life and deteriorating. Some of the young people in Most teachers think of themselves as discuss how best to segregate those who my research felt persecuted by mainstream being secondary, primary or special needs; skills needed to are struggling, or we can acknowledge that teachers, for example. but teachers educating excluded children something is not working, if this is what we are too often lumped into the category of have to resort to. The fact that the UK has “other”. It’s not a respectful phrase, and not work in PRUs some of the lowest rates of literacy in the one that helps overturn stigma surrounding developed world might offer a clue as to what It is not in any exclusion. is going wrong. The best way government PRUs are still a reasonably modern difference for excluded pupil’s educational can address this is to relax the high-pressure student's interest invention, having started in 1994. It’s outcomes. Let’s be clear: currently only one accountability culture focused almost therefore not surprising that many teachers per cent will get five core GCSEs, one in two uniquely on exam results, and properly fund to be deemed not don’t know much about them. Most won’t are not in education, employment or training our education system. This would help retain have visited one, let alone worked in one (NEET) immediately after school. Half of good, experienced teachers and provide – until 2012 PRUs weren’t a recognised prisoners were formally excluded when sufficient numbers of qualified support staff ready to learn placement as part of teacher training. A they were at school, and many more were to address the issues underlying challenging lack of knowledge can lead to rampant informally pushed out. behaviour. misconceptions. If all these facts feel like a bottomless pit But for schools right now a narrow, Conversely, it is not in any student's Stories in the media often don’t help. A few of misery, then this is the part where the unforgiving education agenda is a fact of interest to be deemed “not ready to learn” and years ago Schools Week ran a front-page triumphant music starts playing, because life and has been for some time. Prevailing siphoned off into a cabin at the other end of story about an alternative provision school amid all this difficulty lies huge opportunity. standards agendas and performativity the playground to work on their social and that locked pupils into rooms, refusing to let If it strikes you as a huge injustice that cultures produce pressurized, inflexible emotional skills for months on end. I'm really them go to the toilet, and blocking fire exits. excluded children are twice as often taught institutions that can be experienced as concerned by the conditionality this places Salacious details get good headlines but by unqualified teachers, if you find yourself hostile by children and young people who on education. All children are ready to learn. here’s another great story: pupil referral thinking we must be able to do better are struggling for whatever reason. Surely the onus should be on schools to be units get higher Ofsted grades than than seeing one pupil in 100 achieve the There are instances where young ready to teach them. mainstream secondary schools. While 21 qualifications they need, and if you believe people's best interests can be advanced by More importantly, when units are set per cent of secondary schools are ‘requires that we can figure out new interventions a short period away from the mainstream up apart from the mainstream school, improvement’ or ‘inadequate’, that figure to break the link between pupil exclusion, classroom. Nurture groups, for example, can it encourages hard-pressed teachers to is only 18 per cent for PRUs. That’s partly mental illness and offending, then you will help those experiencing a difficult transition view demanding students as belonging due to the different approach to ratios; with undoubtedly find the PRU sector an amazing to or from primary school, although I'm somewhere else. The gap between the unit radically smaller class sizes, PRUs offer place to work. less than convinced by the dependence on and the classroom becomes ever more opportunity to really know a pupil’s needs, Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Absolutely! attachment as an underpinning theoretical difficult to bridge as time passes, with some and build relationships which reduce difficult Will there be days when you’ll likely think the model. young people ending up marooned for years or dangerous behaviour. job is too hard? Possibly. But then, doesn’t More specifically, many of the young with inadequate educational support and Yet PRUs struggle to recruit. And this isn’t every teacher think that? As Tom Hanks people in my research would have benefited no realistic route back in to mainstream your regular everyone-needs-to-find-a- famously says in the film A league of their from regular contact with a skilled teacher education. maths-bod struggle. One in eight teachers own, “it’s supposed to be hard – it’s the hard experienced in working with challenging If we accept the need for alternative in the sector is unqualified. Pupils are twice that makes it good. If it wasn’t hard, then behaviour and a (part-time) space within provision as inevitable and uncontroversial, as likely to have a supply teacher. Ofsted anybody could do it.” a mainstream school that would allow we risk this situation becoming the norm. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 19 OPINION: FOCUS ON EXCLUSION

Even with an inclusive approach and in our monitoring. We can call children each a clear behaviour policy, permanent morning to make sure they come to school, exclusion is sometimes necessary to JACQUELINE for instance, and we are more adapted to protect staff or students, says Jacqueline manage issues like lateness that would disrupt Valin the school day in the mainstream setting. We VALIN can have closer, more regular contact with upil exclusions are finally on the Executive principal, parents and carers, and provide regular one- political radar, and it’s heartening to Southfields Academy to-one mentoring. Psee the issue being publicly examined. All the students in this centre sit at least With permanent and fixed-term exclusion seven GCSEs, with a focus on progression rates on the rise, the question of when, or to further education, apprenticeships or indeed whether, to exclude needs addressing. Headteachers sometimes employment. At present, schools are only going to become There are circumstances in which a more likely to permanently exclude pupils school is left with no option, as when a pupil who may affect their scores. As Amanda have to exclude children deliberately attacks a member of staff or Spielman said in her first report as Ofsted brings a weapon into school. chief inspector last year, children with parent communications, and this must be behaviour was the reason for 35 per cent of all Our local PRU acts as a kind of brokering special educational needs and disabilities are consistently applied by all staff. permanent exclusions at state-funded schools centre for excluded children, working with particularly vulnerable to “off-rolling”, where Our school has three clear rules, displayed last year. them before sending them to us, initially they are pushed “out of sight and out of mind”. all over the building in language accessible to for a 12-week trial period. This kind of Other pupils fail to engage with mainstream all: 1) keep your hands and feet to yourself, 2) arrangement can be very successful – education because their personal follow instructions, and 3) treat everyone with children need the chance to start afresh. circumstances make it unmanageable: they respect. No one wants to see a child excluded, In some cases, Managed moves are often criticised as may have lost parents or carers, suffered and if they follow those very simple rules, I exclusion by another name, but sometimes abuse at home, be struggling with mental guarantee this will never happen. what pupils really it’s impossible to keep a child in a particular illness, or balancing caring responsibilities Fixed-term exclusions are unnecessary: school. They may succeed with a fresh start with their own education. in too many cases, children will simply end needed was more at another school, however: a system which Rather than moving to exclude these up on the street. With adequate in-school can be especially successful with a network children, school leaders should be doing all systems such as staggered timetables, it’s personalised support of schools willing to work with the local we can to provide the support they need. possible to keep pupils separated from their authority to achieve the best outcomes. This doesn’t mean tolerating behaviour that peers but ensure they are keeping up with The government can help reduce exclusions disrupts others’ educations. School leaders their classwork. Isolation is not sufficient: In some of these cases, what pupils really in two ways: by relaxing results-based must ensure that structures are in place to it’s vital to have interventions to discuss and needed was more personalised support. To pressures to encourage school leaders to support good learning at all times. Every address the behaviour. this end, we have a separate building for the focus on what is right for each child, and by pupil must understand what is expected While most pupils will do whatever it small number of pupils who aren’t coping in improving schools’ capacity for pastoral and of them and what the behaviour policy is, takes to get back into their classes, there are the main school. mental health support through increased instilled through assemblies, tutor time and always a few who don’t. Persistent disruptive Within this centre, we can be more intensive funding.

properly include legal considerations such it is particularly important to ensure that the school’s duty of care to students? there is documented evidence about how a RUSSELL Ultimately in order to succeed, a judge child's particular needs have been taken into would need to conclude that the policy was account. so unreasonable that no reasonable school If there is a claim, any disciplinary HOLLAND would have one like it. This is a very high engagement is going to be the subject of threshold. close scrutiny, and documented evidence Barrister in the education team, The greater risk for schools on school is vital. This may include records to show Michelmores law firm discipline would be a claim made under that relevant staff have had training. While the Equality Act. Claims for disability this can be potentially resource-intensive, if discrimination can be made at the first evidence is not available there will likely be tier tribunal (FTT), which can be a useful criticism at a trial. Even where a child is not forum for claimants because it is rare for the considered to be disabled but has some form Are zero-tolerance behaviour unsuccessful party to be ordered to pay costs. of learning difficulty, it is best to proceed in That said, the FTT can’t order compensation the same manner, as if they are disabled, and for successful claimants, either. If specifically detail how their particular needs policies even allowed by law? compensation is sought for a disability have been considered. discrimination claim or similar, then it might With the parliamentary education disciplinary policy, they are both ultimately be made in the county court instead. If the committee considering exclusions at subject to general public concepts of acting claim is geared towards changing a policy, present, barrister Russell Holland explains lawfully, reasonably, rationally and in a then a judicial review is the proper avenue All schools are schools’ legal liabilities procedurally fair way. Failing to meet any of – especially to obtain a declaration that a subject to general these conditions are the traditional grounds policy is unlawful. he education select committee has on which a judicial review might be granted. Disability discrimination claims public concepts been reviewing exclusions and In this context it is noteworthy that the would generally be made on the basis of Trecently heard evidence about the way exclusions guidance allows an independent indirect discrimination, disability-related of acting lawfully, zero tolerance behavior policies potentially review panel to direct a governing board to discrimination or for a failure to make reduce inclusion. Its hearings even raised reconsider an exclusion if the decision failed reasonable adjustments. The key point for reasonably, the question of whether zero tolerance to meet any of these criteria. schools when disciplining a disabled student policies are legal, especially given the fact For sanctions less severe than an exclusion is to be able to demonstrate that their specific rationally and in a that schools are required to make reasonable then (unless the case alleges discrimination), needs were specifically taken into account adjustments to accommodate pupils’ needs the prospects of legal action seem unlikely. and to ensure that this is documented. procedurally fair way under the Equality Act 2010. The cost need to bring such a claim may well So for example, if a disabled child is The topic of school discipline will always be disproportionate to the issues. However, in excluded on a temporary basis, the letter generate a range of opinion, but what are the the context of school discipline such a claim should specifically set out how their needs Overall it is a matter of judgment for legal realities? would raise the following questions: is there were taken into account. If a disciplinary schools what disciplinary policy they want to While maintained schools and academies reasoned evidence to support a disciplinary policy has a reward system in which children follow, but the key area of legal risk is around each have a separate legal framework for policy, and does the disciplinary policy who misbehave miss out on a reward then discrimination. 20 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 INTRODUCING THE HOODINERNEY MODEL AS REVEALED AT HTRT SUMMIT WANT A SENSIBLE SCHOOL SYSTEM? HERE'S HOW IT SHOULD LOOK...

Five years ago Laura McInerney and Matt Hood developed a model for how the schools system might work more coherently. Few people listened. Some parts were echoed in David Blunkett’s review of school management, but, otherwise, it failed. ‘Never mind, the system will work out,’ they thought. Five years on, and it’s still not okay. In fact, it’s even more fragmented. So here they are, trying again to convince the world about the way our school system could become Figure 1 – In the past, everything was okay if schools were performing well and local authorities overseeing them performed well coherent again.

LAURA.MCINERNEY MATT HOOD @MISS_MCINERNEY @MATTHEWHOOD Figure 2 – If a school failed, and the local authority did not have the capacity to resolve it, there was a serious problem. Some schools How did we get into such a fragmented mess? languished for many years in this situation.

he academy system has one huge The problem is that around 30 per cent benefit. In the past, when schools of schools are in this model, and it’s very Twere overseen purely by local uneven across phases. While over 70 per authorities, everything was great as long as cent of secondary schools are in trusts, schools were performing. If a school failed, fewer than 25 per cent of primary schools but the authority was working out, then are. We’re running two parallel systems and turnaround was possible. But if a school that’s messy. struggled and the authority was floundering We’ve also got a situation where local then it was often a disaster. Under this authorities have essentially been hollowed system, some schools failed systematically out. Manchester used to have loads of for decades. school improvement partners to help One idea was to turn the authority around, struggling schools but now it has next to Figure 3 – One idea was the outsourcing of the local authority to a or outsource it for a short period until it got none. So local authorities are hamstrung private provider – but they aren’t enough organisations able to do back on its feet like the Hackney Learning when they attempt a comparable job to this role Trust. Finding organisations able to pull this multi-academy trusts, even though they are off was a problem, however. Most people responsible for most primary schools. who know how to rescue local authorities The regional schools commissioners already work in them and aren’t just sitting manage the contract between the state and at home waiting to be deployed onto a the trust to run a school but, as their role is takeover team. now expanding, they are also inspecting Another solution – the one that the (or “monitoring”) schools and taking on academy system provides – was to change school improvement roles. Then there’s the the system so that schools were run by non- partially hilarious situation in which Ofsted profit academy trusts, or multi-academy can inspect schools and local authorities trusts as they gathered more schools. but can’t inspect multi-academy trusts. So Under the charity model, if a school is instead they swoop into 15 schools at once failing it can be removed from its local and do an unofficial multi-academy trust authority (or more recently its academy inspection report that’s as informal as it is trust) and given to another one. This is un-appealable. much easier because there are lots of trusts It’s worth saying that we strongly believe, (around 1,000) and so it’s always possible to despite the confusion, that the system has find another when needed. It’s even possible lots of really good people doing, with good Figure 4 – So, multi-academy trusts were created meaning schools to move every school in a trust and close intentions, the things that they believe are could be moved if they fail from one trust into another. However, this it down altogether. The recent failure of right. Were this mess transitioning towards developed alongside the LA model. And then regional commissioners a 21-school trust in Wakefield proves the a more coherent system, we would be okay. were placed on top. This is confusing. point. Within a few months, other trusts Today’s acute problem, though, is that we said they would take on the schools. are not transitioning anywhere. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 21 INTRODUCING THE HOODINERNEY MODEL AS REVEALED AT HTRT SUMMIT WANT A SENSIBLE SCHOOL SYSTEM? HERE'S HOW IT SHOULD LOOK...

RULES So how do we create a new model?

We created a model based on three simple principles. 1. People can only do their job and not somebody else’s. In the school system we need everyone to do one job. Each of these roles is tough enough without having to do everyone else’s at the same time. As crazy as this sounds, we just want schools to be teaching their pupils. Likewise, commissioners cannot also be improvers and inspectors can’t be setting policy through speeches and reports.

2. Every decision needs to be open and transparent. Opaque decisions attract sharks and provoke suspicion. Not every discussion must be public, but decisions must be publicly explained and evidence taken into consideration open for scrutiny.

3. There can be no conflicts of interest. This means no related-party transactions – absolutely none. It isn’t permitted in other charitable sectors, so if governors want to offer deal-of-the-century items to schools, then give them to the place down the road.

REVEALED: HOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SHOULD WORK

he solution is so simple it’s embarrassing. T The Department for Education appoints commissioners. Those commissioners then contract – or “commission”, the clue is in the name – multi-academy trusts to run schools. 2 Commissioners also sign off on opening 1 3 new schools, closures and pupil admission number changes. The Education Funding Agency (note, we’ve removed “skills”) is basically the administrative arm of the regional schools commissioners, staffed with civil servants who actually write and manage contracts, send out cash and balance the books. They can ask independent auditors to investigate the books of academy trusts, but they can’t do it themselves (per rule two). Any information on finances can be used by the 4 RSCs to terminate or renegotiate contracts if needed. Next are the “school improvers” – that is, academy trusts. As we see it, the job of trusts local-authority trusts. As a hybrid system can then focus on its own jobs (per rule 1), and place changes. That said, we’d give is, basically, school improvement. Obviously is too complex, our solution is to compel which we believe are admissions, place- local authorities the right to have an open they have outsiders in to help, but if a multi- local authorities to create arms-length planning and commissioning special-needs hearing with the commissioner on this issue academy trust wants to buy in a school spin-off trusts in which they place their provisions. If you want that written as one each year, at which councillors represent improvement partner, or a peer-to-peer schools, similar to the way council housing job: making every child gets a quality place. local people’s views about place needs. The network, or 3,000 days of coaching, that’s its was placed into arms-length housing In our brave new world, schools are not commissioner would then write a public own choice. Ultimately, school improvement associations in the 2000s. in charge of their own admissions ( as that decision about why they are granting cash/ is for the multi-academy trust to sort – and Local authorities could take 19 per cent of would be a conflict of interest, as per rules 1 contracts to meet demand (per rule 2). If the if it can’t, the school in question moves to governor places, as they currently can on any and 3), so local authorities do it. RSC think the local authority is wrong, they someone else. academy trust. However, these trusts are not We recognise that commissioners have can say so – and not grant any more schools. Note, this category includes multi- owned by the local authority. ultimate control on how many places exist, This separates local and national academy trusts, standalone academies and And that’s good because the local authority as they grant school openings, closures democracy in an important way. In our 22 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 INTRODUCING THE HOODINERNEY MODEL AS REVEALED AT HTRT SUMMIT model, local councillors can be held Reports can then be used to close a school if What about all the weird grants improvement then that’s great for them, responsible for the quality of their input to needed, something Ofsted cannot do alone and school improvement funds but they’re not a school improver. Their job the commissioner (which will be public, both ( due to rule 1), or the report can be ignored. that multi-academy trusts apply is to train and develop teachers to teach. in terms of the meetings and minutes), but That is up to the commissioner – as long as to the EFA for? Teaching schools may improve by proxy, or it is the national government which should they explain themselves (rule 2). Good point. A lot of those grants break rule 2 a multi-academy trust may choose to buy be held responsible for the outcome – that And that’s it. All the bits are pointing in and there’s a conflict of interest with the EFA their services in to aid improvement. As an is, the decisions of the commissioners. After the right direction and almost every issue is handing out cash when it is also managing individual item however, their role is not all, national government appointed the solved. contracts around quality. Hence we are “school improver”. commissioner and holds the purse strings. happy with the DfE directing policy itself, Hence, if a town is furious at the regional Frequently asked questions: and putting up funds for its own projects WE NEED YOU schools commissioner, it should take it out which multi-academy trusts can apply for. Having spent five years on this, we on their MP. If they are mad at the way its For example, the recent cash for breakfast think it solves many problems. Yes, it councillors represented local needs, take it to What about special needs: We clubs is the perfect example of a fund the DfE still relies on good people filling every the local elections. somewhat waved a hand here and said “LAs could dangle and get people to apply for if it role. And we aren’t saying in-dealing And if you don’t believe any voter does this, are in charge of special needs” as if that’s so chooses without wrecking the system. will disappear. But it at least puts the we basically agree, but we are also sceptical easy. It’s not. In fact, Jules Daulby, who As for school improvement funding, in our system on the road to coherence. that ballot-box democracy has ever really knows about these things, has suggested model it’s not a thing. If money is needed And, from that road, we can talk held anyone in education to proper account. that special needs may even need its own because a school has failed and needs about how to tweak the system and The one group left is Ofsted. As we see it, commissioning system which sits behind turnaround support, that can be built into make it better rather than continuing Ofsted is the schools inspectorate. The only the LA. We are totally up for that. the rebroker terms when the commissioner in the messy, ridiculous, borderline- corrupt way the school system works inspectors. Where are headteacher boards? In the bin. writes a new contract. If a school is only at present. Regional schools commissioners cannot You can’t have school improvers also trying temporarily failing and needs emergency The question is: what have we have their own monitors sticking their noses to be the commissioner (rule 3). Open local cash this could also be part of a (transparent) missed out? What else does the model into schools. It is Ofsted's job to inspect both hearings would replace headteacher board contract renegotiation. need? You tell us. schools and academy trusts, and write up meetings and at hearings anyone could reports which are fed back to commissioners. present evidence – including councillors, What about teaching schools Contact us via twitter Commissioners can ask Ofsted to conduct local headteachers, and parents (rule 2). alliances? (@miss_mcinerney & @matthewhood) an inspection if they need more intelligence, The RSC then makes decisions via a public They can keep existing. If trusts or a school or email [email protected] but the inspection must be independent. written document (rule 2). want to be in one to help with their school

WHAT JOB DOES EACH ORGANISATION DO IN THE NEW MODEL?

DFE – Appoints regional commissioners

REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS – Commission trusts to run schools and manage the contracts. This includes granting new schools, closing schools, and moving schools from one trust to another.

TRUSTS – Run and improve schools

SCHOOLS – Teach children

LOCAL AUTHORITIES – Ensure every child has a high quality place (via admissions, representing the area at place-planning hearings, and overseeing special needs) Navigate your apprenticeship opportunity

We’re at the cutting edge when it comes to apprenticeships, from end-point assessment (EPA) solutions to advice and expertise, we can support you in navigating your apprenticeship journey. NCFE is an approved end-point assessment organisation currently on the register for the following subject areas:

• Customer Service • Hospitality • Retail • Leadership and Management • Professional Services • Health and Social Care.

We offer a clear and transparent pricing structure with no charge to the provider until learners go through Gateway.

Our dedicated Apprenticeship Services team are on hand to answer your questions and help navigate you through your journey.

Contract with us and we can supply you with a large range of support materials, as well as sample resources to help apprentices, employers and providers prepare for EPA.

Our purpose built platform manages every aspect of end-point assessment and will work with any e-portfolio for your on-programme delivery.

Contact our Apprenticeship Services team to find out more. Visit: www.ncfe.org.uk/epa Email: [email protected] Call: 0191 240 8950 @NCFE | @CACHEORG 24 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 REVIEWS TOP BLOGS OF THE WEEK To view individual blogs visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk/reviews

Introverted leadership – Harnessing your How I wish I’d taught maths interesting section. Here, Barton reflects on authentic ambition By Craig Barton the research and interprets it in a classroom @AnnaAmbrose Published by John Catt Educational context with lots of practical examples. Reviewed by Sinead Goodden, What made this book so different from Anna’s post is based on her others I have read is the fact Barton is still presentation at a #WomenEd event assistant headteacher for CPD a classroom teacher. I could be reading in Birmingham on January 20. She spoke a section and think “where does he get about her professional journey, how she felt the questions for his low-stakes quizzes the need to act the part of a more outgoing person in order to be taken seriously as an from?”, then turn over a page and almost aspiring leader, until “from a point where I There can’t be many maths teachers in the immediately find the answer. Similarly, I felt that my current leadership ‘act’ wasn’t land who have not heard of Craig Barton, have found this with his podcasts; I would enough, and was questioning whether I either through his resources or the hugely think of a question I wanted to ask the guest Our blog reviewer of the week had the energy to act some more, I found a popular Mr Barton’s Maths podcast. and almost by telepathy Barton asks the different path and decided to be more me, not is Jill Berry, a former head, now If you have been part of the mastery very same question himself! This is in stark less”. educational consultant, author initiative, lots of the ideas won’t be new, contrast to some books and articles written by and Twitter addict @jillberry102 She talks of how networking with others similarly if you generally keep up to date educational academics who are no longer in can help to give us the confidence to flourish as authentic leaders, teachers and human with the latest maths educational research. the classroom. beings. However, it is the plentiful The influence of Barton’s interview of Doug The WomenEd book club, non-binary bias examples and practical Lemov (his podcast and the affair Penelope didn’t have Values-led leadership: Moving from nature of this book which in November 2017) is @Penny_Ten surviving to thriving makes it so appealing - obvious throughout @TheHopefulHT essential reading for both the book. During this After the inaugural #WomenEd online book novice and experienced interview, Lemov club discussion on Mary Beard’s Women and Headteacher Hannah describes teachers. describes his approach to power on January 28, Penny Rabiger explores recent events she has attended and advice issues of gender and voice. she has shared with educators at all levels, When you find delivering CPD sessions “One of the things that troubles me is how focusing on the importance of values and yourself talking to – “see it, name it, do it”. we manage to tackle these issues without “the things I wish I had known earlier in my strangers on holiday Barton follows the same polarising into men and women, good career, the insights I have gained through my about a maths mantra, trying to give and bad, feminist and sexist, and without tumultuous leadership journey over the last education book and his strategies memorable alienating people,” she writes. few years”. their eyes don’t glaze names, for example: “the She discusses the importance of These include the value of reflection, the over, it’s a clear goal-free effect”, “silent understanding socialisation and conditioning power of coaching, why we need never to lose indicator that it might teacher”, “example-problem (to which we are all subject, whether we sight of our “non-negotiables”, and how, if accept it or not), how and why we categorise, we do this, we can navigate difficult change. I be a page-turner! pairs”, “supercharged worked and why we need to be alert to the ways in found this inspiring. Barton has no examples” and so on. This which categorisation can be misleading and agenda other than is useful as you read the even unhealthy. Penny is saying what I think, The MaternityTeacherPaternityTeacher trying to improve his own book because it helps you but she has the flair to express it so much project at #TLCWorcs18 teaching. This book is him sharing, in an remember previous sections. more skilfully than I could. @bristol_teacher accessible and immensely readable style, the A word of warning: my love of this book changes he has made to his teaching and could be influenced by the fact that our What do I tell my young performers when Claire Nicholls’ post is also based on a why. career paths are similar, from our roles to they ask me if they should go into the presentation, one I was privileged to hear at performing arts industry? #TLC (Teaching, Leadership, Confidence) I appreciated the consistent structure our change of teaching philosophy. Just as @isc_schools in Worcester in February. Claire has been throughout, which follows the format of Barton cringes at the memory of dressing involved in the #MTPTproject since the time “what I used to do”, “sources of inspiration”, up as Pythagoras, I cringe at the memory In this blog, from the Independent Schools of her own maternity leave, and she writes “my takeaways” and “what I do now”. Busy of dressing up as Euclid. One of the key Council website, a head of drama considers here about how the initiative developed, teachers will also be grateful for the summary messages in the book is that “students the advice she gives to students who want what it is trying to achieve and why it is well at the end of each chapter, which Barton calls remember what they think about” and to pursue a career in the performing arts. worth supporting, whatever your personal “if I only remember three things”. looking back, dressing up as an ancient Greek Melanie Stamp understands that this is an circumstances. Claire’s presentation and this “What I used to do” and “what I do now” are mathematician certainly won’t help pupils industry which is “brutal and elitist” and that blog made me think, and encouraged me to self-explanatory. I am a stickler for research anyone venturing into it requires resilience challenge some of my own assumptions. remember the fundamentals of Euclidean and strong support networks. and evidenced-based teaching, so I loved geometry! She recognises how recent revelations have The first 19 lessons of headship the “sources of inspiration” where Barton So, in true Mr Barton style, if you only raised our awareness of the extent of sexual @ITLWorldwide lists all the research articles and books that remember three things: harassment and bullying across the arts and have inspired the changes he has made. As 1. This book is essential reading for maths media world, and knows how all this may well A bonus final piece comes from Independent I read this book, my wishlist of other books teachers at any career stage. deter the talented and committed. However, Thinking Ltd. I read and tweeted this recently expanded exponentially. 2. This book is broken down into very she loves her subject, and concludes that this and the number of comments and retweets If you are expecting this book to be practical and useable sections. is a time of change and opportunity: “Now is it generated suggested it had clearly struck a a critique of the literature, you will be the time to encourage our young people to chord. The first 19 lessons (originally 15, but 3. This book is so readable that it continues take theatre in a new direction for the future the list has grown) of headship. See what you disappointed – but it does not profess to to answer your own questions as they they want to see. think. be that. “My takeaways” is feasibly the most inevitably arise. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 25 Week in Westminster Your regular guide to what’s going on in central government

The DfE was also forced to admit that with the government propped up by the raised concerns that, because "a particular Monday: there was no way to ensure that these DUP, opposition from its own benches will government minister" is "militant on one veterans, who will get their money in the be even more unwelcome. side of argument", the report may prompt a The Liberal Democrats want to snatch second and third years of an undergrad "more draconian approach to reception". the teacher vote from Labour. How? By degree in “shortage” subjects, will actually Week in Westminster can only wonder scrapping Ofsted, league tables, SATs and Wednesday: enter the teaching profession. whom she was talking about. pretty much everything else in schools. This was missing from the original Amanda Spielman’s testimony to In its place, Uncle Vince and co want announcement because the MoD got the education committee made for to establish an “independent schools thursday: its facts wrong and initially claimed uncomfortable viewing, as the chief inspectorate”. If the idea sounds familiar, the bursary was only available to those inspector squirmed her way through Another cause of concern for the that’s because it already exists. The studying for a teaching degree. Oops! almost two hours of questions from MPs. government is the loss of new teachers to Independent Schools Inspectorate is the Meanwhile, one name stands out from No wonder. Ofsted is under huge supply agencies. In its teacher recruitment national inspectorate of, yes, you guessed the rest of the signatories on a hard-hitting pressure on illegal schools, a problem it bulletin for March, the DfE asks ITT it… independent schools. letter urging Damian Hinds to abandon feels helpless to solve without extra powers providers for their “support” in advising We expect the next Lib Dem policy paper plans to lift the faith admissions cap for and support from the government. Week candidates of the “potential implications of to propose a new name for the ISI once its free schools. in Westminster expects Spielman would signing up with agencies”. current one is pilfered by the government No, it’s not Rowan Williams, though far rather Damian Hinds had been there to As per prior Schools Week investigations, that they’re definitely going to form. the former Archbishop of Canterbury’s field the difficult questions. the government has received evidence that intervention is significant. However, another bone of contention supply teacher and recruitment agencies Tuesday: The most important name on the list is for MPs was Ofsted’s controversial “Bold are hoovering up new teachers.It seems Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative MP for beginnings” report on reception, which that supply teacher agencies are now The DfE announced new £40k bursaries to Totnes, who is one of the new “awkward annoyedmany educationalists last year. public enemy number one. So how is the encourage veterans to teach. Well, we say squad” of Tory backbench rebels. While other MPs attempted to discredit government’s new trusted supply teacher “announced”. Technically, the department Wollaston threatened to vote down the evidence in the report with their agency pool is coming along? re-announced its announcement, which proposals to scrap the cap last time they own anecdotes, Lucy Powell, the former had already been announced by the MoD were proposed in 2016. At that point, the shadow education secretary, questioned CHECK OUT @SCHOOLSWEEKLIVE FOR LIVE TWEETS OF WESTMINSTER EVENTS in The Sunday Times. government had a slim majority. Now, the rationale behind the report. Powell FLY ON THE WALL

Where do you read your copy of Schools Week? What do you do with your copy of Schools Week once you've read it? On my iPad, usually in an evening or over the weekend after a busy I share it with my colleagues at my company, CJ Learning, and I send week working with schools across the country. specific articles to staff for specific action.

Which section of the paper do you enjoy the most? What would you do if you were editor of Schools Week for a day? I really read it for news of the developments within multi-academy I’d create an edition focused on curriculum design and purpose, one Name Chris Jones trusts. It’s a bit of business intelligence, but also because I am article would be on curriculum-led budget planning, which is the major concerned for the education system. focus of what we do, and another on increasing need in these times of Age 54 reduced budgets. Occupation If you could wave a magic wand and change one education policy, Former school leader, now which would it be? Favourite memory of your school years? company director The use of test results as the sole indicator of the success of an Dinky Richardson, an art teacher and ex-architect who inspired us to be institution. You can argue that other markers are used, but the creative and not accept the standard position. Location Essex national dialogue is based on this. Subscriber since July 2016 If you weren't working in education, what would you be doing? Who is your favourite education secretary of all time? Making furniture and turning wood, revisiting all the lost crafts that Kenneth Baker. He was and still is a huge change agent within the made this nation what it is. system. He recognised the need for staff to constantly grow and develop, hence Baker Days, and has championed the UTC system and Favourite book on education? reform generally. The curriculum: Theory and practice by A.V Kelly Fly on the Wall is a chance for you, the subscriber, to tell us What is your favourite story or investigation reported in What new things would you like to see in Schools Week? what you love (and hate) about Schools Week? More discussion of key issues. Curriculum design would be my favourite Schools Week, who you’d The reporting on progress measures and their impact is probably but there are so many dimensions of school life that the list is endless. like to spy on and, of course, my first read. Secondly, the changing face of academy what the world of education trusts. If you could be a fly on the wall in anyone's office, whose would it be? would look like if you were in Sir David Carter because there is so much to be done and I want to hear charge… how policy is translated to practice. I’d find it hard to be a quiet fly…

We’d love to hear from you – email [email protected] or submit an entry at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/flyonthewall 26 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 School Bulletin If you have a story you’d like to see featured in the school bulletin, email [email protected]

Dragged into the 21st century FEATURED

Bristol-based primary school has used World Book Day to raise Aawareness of LGBT issues by inviting drag queens to read to pupils. Parson Street Primary School hosted a performance group called Drag Queen FREE FOOTBALL KITS Story Time, who read from books including 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewart FOR SCHOOLS and Olive the dog who was really a frog, by Simon Toby Browne, which explore Schools can get their hands on football kits themes of gender identity and equality, and sporting equipment for free through a and challenge the idea of gendered programme encouraging children to be more clothing. active in school. The school invited The Premier League Primary Stars Kit the group to take part and Equipment scheme is offering primary in the event after a schools in England a range of football-themed recommendation from equipment, including pop-up goals, full football the deputy mayor of kits, footballs, cones, training bibs and even Drag Queen Story Time perform for Bristol, who had seen primary pupils (Credit: SWNS) tracksuits for teachers. them perform at local The application window to apply for the kits libraries. appropriateness of the drag runs from Feb 20 to April 6, and successful

“We thought it could Drag queen Alyssa Van Delle queens because people applicants will receive their footballing supplies support our work thought they were adult from September. around equality,” explained Jamie Barry, entertainers,” Barry admitted. “We had to “We hope this year’s process will be as the school’s headteacher. “It wasn’t our remind them that they did work in adult successful as last year when we donated over primary objective when we made the entertainment, but in the same way 3,700 kits and equipment packs,” said Nick booking, but we thought it would be a that there are actors in Peaky Blinders Perchard, head of community at the Premier useful conversation to have with our who also read stories on CBeebies. League. “Schools have the opportunity to apply children about gender identity and so on.” They’ll tailor their performance to for a full playing-kit, or an equipment pack The school was awarded the ‘gold best the audience. which includes items that support teachers to practice’ award from LGBT charity Educate “I think we need more and get their children active throughout the day.” and Celebrate in 2017, which recognises more schools to do things like To apply for the equipment, teachers need to schools that promote equality and this so it doesn’t become an out- register on the Premier League Primary Stars website, and visit: https://plprimarystars.com/ celebrate diversity in the classroom. of-the-ordinary, maverick show Celebrating World Book Day “There was some concern about the that it perhaps looks like it is.” kit-scheme x The best- laid plan

Seven ducklings have successfully hatched at Oasis Academy Byron in a school-wide lesson on life-cycles. The school obtained the eggs and equipment needed to hatch them from an egg supplier in time for its annual science week, giving pupils the chance to experience the hatching process first-hand. David Cameron gives a speech to Young Epilepsy members The eggs have been on display in the school’s reception area in an incubator, Mr Cameron comes to visit so visitors, staff, parents and pupils could avid Cameron has officially launched was a real witness the miracle of life unfold. a specialist school’s new state-of-the- pleasure to see “It makes them understand the life-cycle Dart building. the impact on so much better when they’ve seen them in St Piers School in Surrey, which educates the learning the egg and when they come out,” said Jill more than 50 children with complex epilepsy and behaviour Turner, the school’s science leader. “You can and other neurological conditions, now has of the young show them pictures, but it’s not nearly as an immersive sensory learning area to help people,” said engaging as having the real, soft, cute, pupils develop their cognitive skills, and even Cameron, Meeting the pupils furry objects.” a go-kart track. who is vice- Now the ducklings have hatched, pupils Pupils have moved into the new school president of Young Epilepsy, the charity that and staff are being encouraged to handle building on St Pier’s Lane, which became runs the non-maintained special school. them as often as possible, to ready them reality after the former prime minister’s wife “St Piers School looks absolutely for life outside the school gates. Samantha launched a capital fundraising magnificent and has facilities many schools “The egg supplier has a list of people appeal for the £5.63 million the project needed could only dare to dream of. I am delighted who want the ducks, so they want us back in 2011. that David Cameron was able to open the to handle them as much as possible, so “The new building and facilities are second- school,” added Sir Gerald Archer, Young they’re really people-friendly,” Turner Newly hatched to-none, the staff are exceptional – and it Epilepsy’s president. A not-so-ugly duckling added. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 132 FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018 27

ROGER DR TRACY EADON Your weekly guide to who’s new CARLTON Headteacher, DSLV Marketing and E-ACT Academy business development WILLIAM director, Services for RILEY Education START DATE: START DATE: February 2018 Headteacher, January 2018 Queensway Primary PREVIOUS JOB: PREVIOUS JOB: Deputy headteacher, Southam School Director of marketing, College Keypath Education UK

INTERESTING FACT: Roger grew up on a small START DATE: June 2018 INTERESTING FACT: Tracy’s favourite party farm near Warwickshire. trick is making animal sculptures out of tin PREVIOUS JOB: Deputy headteacher, foil. Worthinghead Primary School

BEN INTERESTING FACT: William likes to collect BILL RYDER original art and has a collection of over 1,000 HOLLEDGE video games. Headteacher, Berwick CEO, Paradigm Trust Middle School

START DATE: January 2018 START DATE: March 2018

PREVIOUS JOB: Deputy head, Tweedmouth PREVIOUS JOB: Chief operating officer and Middle School Get in touch! acting CEO, Paradigm Trust

INTERESTING FACT: Ben builds and restores If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top INTERESTING FACT: Bill originally trained as a classic and custom motorcycles in his spare of your school, local authority or organisation please nursery teacher. time. let us know by emailing [email protected]

Join hundreds of delegates at the biggest governance event in the North- Sessions include: • GDPR The SCHOOLS NorthEast Northern • IDSR (Inspection Data Summary Report) • Ofsted Governance Conference • Performance Management of senior leaders • And many more

If you’re a Chair, Vice Chair, Governor or Head Teacher, the SCHOOLS NorthEast Northern Governance Conference is an unmissable opportunity to network with regional colleagues and find support around the biggest issues facing school governors today.

SCHOOLS NorthEast, the first and only school-led regional network in the UK, was founded by Head Speakers include: Teachers in the North East in 2007. Now in their tenth year, SCHOOLS NorthEast are continuing to Laura McInerney Contributing Editor at support schools through a culture of collaboration and their extensive events programme. Schools Week

Event information To find out more or to book tickets  Friday 20th April 2018 at St James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne  Go to www.schoolsnortheast.com/events Tickets from as low as £30+VAT or call 0191 204 88 66 28 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAR 9, 2018

REGISTER BEFORE 29 MARCH AT lyfta.com/glpinfo

Lyfta is a multi-award-winning platform where teachers and pupils can explore immersive, human-focused stories from around the world.

Schools use Lyfta to: FREE FOR - help children understand the wider world - inspire pupils with real human stories - foster empathy and challenge harmful stereotypes 12 - provoke critical thinking. MONTHS GOVERNMENT FUNDED INITIATIVE Bring Lyfta’s immersive content platform LESSON IMMERSIVE into your school with free Global Learning 96 PLANS 25 STORIES Programme e-credits*. ASSEMBLY UN *The GLP can support KS2 and KS3 schools in England with a 25 PLANS 11 SDGs range of CPD and resources for delivering quality global learning. The support includes free e-credits that can be used with a number of approved providers. Registration deadline: 29 March www.lyfta.com/glpinfo

How to play: Fill in all blank squares Spot the difference SCHOOLS WEEK Sudoku challenge making sure that each row, column and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 to WIN a Schools Week mug Last Week’s solutions 7 Difficulty: 3 8 4 5 EASY 6 5 7 9 8 3 2 4 1 5 6 8 3 9 2 5 4 1 8 7 6 4 1 8 2 7 6 9 5 3 3 2 9 7 2 9 8 1 5 6 3 4 4 1 9 5 3 8 2 7 5 4 6 7 3 2 1 9 8 5 8 3 8 3 1 4 6 9 5 2 7 2 7 4 1 5 8 3 6 9 1 6 9 9 8 3 6 2 4 7 1 5 4 6 3 1 1 6 5 3 9 7 4 8 2 5 Difficulty: EASY

Difficulty: 1 4 2 5 7 6 3 8 9 7 3 2 MEDIUM 6 5 7 8 3 9 4 2 1 8 9 1 3 8 9 1 2 4 6 5 7 2 5 7 4 6 5 7 1 9 6 8 2 4 3 9 8 5 9 2 8 3 4 1 7 6 5 4 3 6 7 5 2 1 9 8 2 3 8 1 4 6 9 7 5 3 2 7 1 3 7 6 3 2 8 5 9 1 4 2 9 5 4 1 3 8 7 6 8 4 6 2 9 1 6 3 9 5 2 Solutions: Difficulty: Next week MEDIUM Spot five differences. First correct entry wins a mug. Tweet a picture of your completed spot the difference using @schoolsweek in the tweet.