Academy regulation and commissioning review published

The Government has published the Academies Regulatory and Commissioning Review, which sets out a framework for growing the impact of the academies system.

The Review proposes cutting down on administrative bureaucracy, improving public transparency around the process by which schools are placed with academy trusts, and providing support for the sector to spread expertise and increase overall capacity to keep improving schools.

Leora Cruddas CBE, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts and member of the regulatory and commissioning review external advisory group said: "We welcome the focus in the Regulatory and Commissioning Review report on simple, proportionate risk-based regulation, making better and more transparent commissioning decisions, and support which spreads sector expertise and increases overall capacity to keep improving schools. It is right that the report focuses on near- term and medium-term actions to improve regulation and commissioning activity.

"It is important that the government recognises there is no one size fits all model, and that there is a stated commitment to foster a diversity of models and scales of trust, including those with faith schools, special schools and alternative provision. We believe it is essential that the government protects the freedoms that have enabled the success of our trust system, avoiding changes that would prescribe specific, rigid behaviour and inhibit effective leadership. System diversity and freedoms must be protected through these reforms.

"The Review rightly recognises that implementing these changes well is not straightforward, particularly as many trusts and their communities face ongoing challenges from cost-of-living pressures and the lasting impacts of the Covid pandemic.

"We are particularly pleased to see the report welcome the Confederation of School Trust’s inquiry into effective improvement practice.

"In relation to inspection, it is important that we work together to consider the impacts of the accountability system and move towards a system that if focused on building relational trust - one which can respond to context and navigate uncertainty. We will continue to work with Ofsted and government to build intelligent systems of accountability."

A series of Trust Development Statements (TDS) have also been published for the first time. These statements set out the priorities in each Education Investment Area for developing a trust landscape led by high-quality trusts to transform standards locally and turn around underperforming schools.

This is backed by Trust Capacity Funding, a multi-year fund worth £86 million in 2022-2025 announced in the Schools White Paper that supports trusts to increase their capacity. The next round of funding will be open to new applications from 3 April. It is also supported by Trust Establishment and Growth Fund (TEG), which provides start-up funding for projects in their initial stages.

To develop the pipeline of outstanding leaders and increase the capacity of MAT leaders capable of leading sustainable growth at scale, the Government has also published the content that will underpin a MAT CEO development programme.

The content framework sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to lead a large trust effectively, to ensure that every pupil is receiving an excellent education.