ASCL response to EPI report on academy chains and local authorities

Commenting on the Education Policy Institute (EPI) report on academy chain and local authority performance, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

The report shows that the tired old debate about academisation versus local authority control misses the point that schools can thrive equally well under either system in high-performing groups. Politicians must stop fixating on structural reform as a panacea and instead focus on providing the support that schools need. Most importantly, all schools need the essential resources of sufficient funding and teachers, both of which are in desperately short supply; a situation which is jeopardising standards. 

More research is needed about what high-performing groups have in common, what lessons can be learned, the reasons for underperformance and the targeted support that would help to raise standards.

It is also clear that greater capacity is required to ensure there are enough sponsors for schools in need. The EPI report suggests that high-performing local authorities should be allowed to take over schools from underperforming academy chains. We can see no reason why the government should not explore further any option which potentially improves the life chances of young people.