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Commenting on publication today of the Department for Education’s ‘Schools, opportunity for all’ white paper on the reform of academy trusts, Louise Thomson, NFP Policy Lead at The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) said:

“Academy trusts have had a profound impact on school provision in England. While many will have benefitted from the freedoms that academy trusts enjoy, there continue to be governance challenges in the way academy trusts are run and regulated. This white paper proposes some much-needed changes and CGIUKI will actively engage with the Department for Education to help develop their thinking.

“With full academisation an aim for 2030 and with multi-academy trusts (MATs) required to consist of a minimum of ten schools or 7,500 pupils, boards will need to consider their due diligence arrangements when taking on new schools or joining a MAT. They will also need to consider the stakeholder engagement process required to assure parents and carers that their interests are fully considered.

“Good governance does not live in a vacuum and appropriate transparency and accountability are required to ensure that the proposed arrangements work for all parties. We have concerns that although the white paper commits to each academy trust having local governance arrangements, little detail is provided as to how that will differ, from current arrangements.

“The potential for schools to opt out of an academy trust family, under specific circumstances and subject to further consultation, is welcomed by CGIUKI, as is the opportunity for local authorities to establish academy trusts. Both measures will enhance parent and pupil choice. However, the detail of these proposals needs to be fully developed and reviewed to ensure the system encapsulates robust governance arrangements.

“CGIUKI will look closely at the forthcoming reviews and consultations mentioned in the white paper and engage with the Department to provide governance insight that helps the government achieve its vision for the education sector in England.”

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Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland is the qualifying and membership body for governance with over 125 years’ experience of educating and supporting governance professionals. With a Royal Charter purpose of leading ‘effective and efficient governance and administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’, we provide professional development, guidance and thought leadership, and work with regulators and policy makers to champion high standards.
   
   The Institute has divisions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong/China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Southern Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. The division headquartered in London represents and supports members in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Crown Dependencies and associated territories, which include the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Website: www.cgi.org.uk