The sector body for academy trusts is seeking a policy review of the government’s plans for regional improvement teams, and has described the focus on stuck schools as a “deeply questionable” use of public money.
The government has launched new RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) teams, which will be supporting around 400 “stuck schools” based on their Ofsted ratings.
In a briefing sent to its members today, the Confederation of School Trusts has raised a number of concerns about the RISE team plans.
It is particularly concerned that the definition of stuck schools, which have had successive Ofsted grades of less than good, can include the previous rating given to a school before its current trust took it on.
The briefing, seen by Tes, says: “We know there are significant issues with the implementation of RISE, not least of all the matter of trusts being held to account for an Ofsted judgement before a school joined the trust.
“In many instances, we have heard from you that this is putting secure improvement journeys at risk, driving workload, and impacting negatively on the wellbeing of those headteachers who have put their hearts and souls into improving ‘inadequate’ schools.”
‘Deeply questionable use of public resources’
The briefing adds that this element of the programme “is also a deeply questionable use of public resources”, saying: “We have raised this at the most senior level of the civil service and we are seeking a policy review. If this cannot be agreed, we will write formally to the secretary of state.”
The CST briefing also raises separate concerns about newly published government guidance which states that academy trusts need DfE approval for any transactions deemed to be novel, contentious and repercussive (NCR).
The DfE states the guidance is based on the Treasury’s framework, which applies to multi-academy trusts.
The CST briefing says: “We are concerned about the DfE guidance for several reasons, including the assertion within it that the DfE’s decision on such transactions is final.”
The CST has told its members that the DfE has not sought to hold discussions with the body on this guidance before publishing it, something it described as “disappointing and concerning”.
DfE asked to clarify legal basis of guidance
The briefing adds: “This is particularly troubling because while the guidance is framed as ‘good practice’ it seems to adopt a tone of expectation that goes beyond this. We have, therefore, asked the DfE to clarify the legal basis of this guidance.
“In the meantime, you may wish to obtain your own legal advice in relation to potential NCR transactions if you feel it necessary.”
Tes understands that United Learning, a MAT that runs 90 schools, has been told that the government considers its plan to offer teachers an alternative pension arrangement, in which teachers keep more of their salary, to be “novel, contentious and repercussive”, and that the trust has been asked to submit a business case.
Responding to the concerns raised about RISE advisers, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “High and rising standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity so every child can achieve and thrive.
“Children should not spend their education in schools that are consistently underperforming and our new RISE teams, backed by an initial investment of £20million, will play a vital role in tackling this, acting as a catalyst for school improvement across the country.”
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