Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the findings of the Reform report, Academy chains unlocked, said:

“This is an extremely concerning report which highlights yet again that Tory academy plans are in complete chaos. 

“The impossible job the Department for Education has set itself in trying to directly run thousands of schools from Whitehall is fully exposed as we learn over half of existing academy chains have refused to take on schools and 70% of inadequate academies have been left languishing with poor academy chains.

“Only a few months ago the Department was chastised by the NAO for its bad accounting. There can be no discussion on further changes to funding without watertight safeguards, accountability and transparency. 

“Forcing all schools to become academies and introducing even more disruption into the system with new grammar schools will make this situation even worse.

“The Tories need to get a hold on this once and for all or it will be our children who pay the price.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

· Amongst the findings of the report were:

“A majority (61 per cent) of chains had at some point declined to take on a new school when asked by the SCG [Schools Commissioner Group].”

Academy chains unlocked, pp. 33 Reform, 20th September 2016, http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Academy-chains-unlocked.pdf

“There is very little publicly available information on the conditions that must be met before rebrokerage is considered. Where guidance on this is provided, it is typically vague… It is likely that there are more concerns about academy performance than official data reveals.”

Academy chains unlocked, pp. 34-35, Reform, 20th September 2016, http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Academy-chains-unlocked.pdf

“In the absence of a measurable framework against which chains can be assessed, it is difficult to ensure academies are rebrokered consistently. This undermines the accountability of both RSCs and chain leaders.”

Academy chains unlocked, pp. 35, Reform, 20th September 2016, http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Academy-chains-unlocked.pdf

“Figures obtained via a parliamentary question reveal that in the last two years, 70 per cent of academies rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted have not been rebrokered, leading to suggestions that too little is being done to intervene in cases of poor performance.”

Academy chains unlocked, pp. 35, Reform, 20th September 2016, http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Academy-chains-unlocked.pdf

“Current policy is not encouraging academy chains to take on schools in financial difficulties or in different geographies.”

Academy chains unlocked, pp. 37, Reform, 20th September 2016, http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Academy-chains-unlocked.pdf