Responding to a report by the Education Policy Institute
on school performance in academy chains and local
authorities, Cllr Roy Perry, Vice Chairman of the Local
Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“What is more important to councils than the type of school is
that every child gets the education they deserve and that will
serve them best.
“This is why government needs to allow councils to be the
effective education improvement partners they can be, ready and
able to support schools of all types. There are so many ways
councils can help schools and they are the democratic voice of a
local community with respect to education.
“Councils have an excellent track record in maintaining high
educational standards and also in turning round failing schools,
with more than 91 per cent of council maintained schools now
rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.
“Across the country, hundreds of schools, often in disadvantaged
areas, are already being turned around thanks to the intervention
of councils to deliver and maintain strong leadership,
outstanding classroom teaching and appoint effective support
staff and governors.
“Councils stand ready to step in and help schools where
necessary. Councils should be given freedom to set up their own
MATs if that is the wish of the local community and they should
be given the powers to do so.”
