ASCL comment on NAO’s academisation report

Commenting on the National Audit Office report on converting maintained schools to academies, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The National Audit Office report has highlighted a critical issue. Struggling schools are being left in limbo because the government insists that they have to be academised but cannot then find an academy sponsor for them. We call on ministers to rethink their approach to schools which are deemed to be underperforming.

“Compulsory academisation should not be the default ‘solution’, particularly where it is very difficult to secure a sponsor. Instead, a range of options should be considered to give the school the swift and effective support that is needed to improve standards for its pupils, and the school itself should be meaningfully consulted about the best way forward.”