Connect with CSN
Latest LGiU/CSN briefings- Gypsies and Travellers: two new government reports
- DfE – Statutory Guidance for Schools and Local Authorities on Careers Guidance and consultation on extending the age range
- SOLACE Filling the gap: the Championing Role of English Councils in Education
- Update on Healthwatch
- Guidance on Exclusions from maintained schools, Academies and PRUs in England
Sutton Council raising the cap on primary class sizes
The Guardian reports that Sutton Council is spoiling for a fight with Education Secretary Michael Gove over its plans to raise the cap on primary class sizes to more than 30 pupils. The Chief Executive of Sutton Council Niall Bolger is reportedly contacting other local authorities to test support for raising primary school class sizes. [...]
Michael Gove’s speech at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College
Michael Gove has been getting a bit hot under the collar this morning according to Politics Home. The pace of his academies programme has resulted in some critics branding him an “ideologue” presiding over a massive shake-up of education with little regard for the long-term consequences. In a speech this morning, he refuted this [...]
The initial enthusiasm for schools to convert to academy status has waned considerably
“Come on in. The water’s lovely” was Secretary of State, Michael Gove’s answer when asked by ardent Academy supporter, Richard Fuller about schools which “have not yet got up the nerve” to convert to Academy status at Education Questions in the Commons on 21st November 2011. Meanwhile, the Times Educational Supplement had, a week earlier, [...]
Tags: academy schools, DFE, Education, local authorities, schooling |
Ofsted’s annual report published today
Ofsted publishes its annual report today. The section on local government’s educational performance, on the face of it, makes encouraging reading. It reports that “the proportion of local authorities performing well or excellently in 2011 is slightly higher than in 2010. It is encouraging that a higher proportion are performing excellently this year compared [...]
Presentation slides about Education Act 2011
Last Thursday (24 Nov), CSN held a special seminar for members that looked at the main aspects of the Education Act 2011. Below are the slides I used. Comments and feedback welcome – john.fowler@lgiu.org.uk LGiU: "Working it Out" – the Education Act 2011 View more presentations from LGIU.
Tags: Academies, Education, Education Act, Michael Gove, Schools |
Aspects of the Education Act of interest to local government
All aspects of the Act are of interest to local government including student finance: local government wants all residents to succeed in their education and reach their potential irrespective of parental income or personal wealth. Listed below are specific issues which local authorities may wish to consider. There will be others. School place planning: does [...]
Tags: DFE, Education Act, local services, Michael Gove, Schools, teaching |
Education Act 2011
The Education Act 2011 received Royal Assent on 15 November 2011, the day after it finished its last Parliamentary stage reflecting the Government’s need to implement several provisions without delay. The DfE has not, and may not, issue a timetable containing information of the Act’s implementation. Information was given in debate, although for reasons of [...]
Special seminar: The Education Act 2011 – working it out
Yesterday the Education Bill gained royal assent. The legislation is designed to create an education system that delivers higher standards for all children. However, some measures will create significant new challenges for local authorities. The seminar is aimed at local government officers who already have a working knowledge of the main aspects of the legislation. [...]
Tags: DFE, Education, education bill, events, Schools |
New Admissions framework still needs last-minute changes
This is a significant moment of change for the vital process of school admissions: new admissions and appeals codes and regulations – not to mention a new Education Act – imminent; a steady increase in the number of Academies (including Free Schools); removal of the requirements for Admissions Forums and independent choice advisory services; and [...]
Tags: admissions, DFE, Schools |
Rate of Academy conversions slowing down
Last week, the DfE published its monthly statistical brief on the number of Academy applications and conversions during the month of October. A DfE News has not been issued. Following the pace set in September, it looks like the number of applications per month will settle in the 50 to 60 region. This is [...]
