When there is a problem at a Free School or Academy it is not the local council that has to step in. It is the DfE. Here is the standard press release that the DfE issues. You have all read it many times.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Academies and free schools operate under a strict system of oversight and accountability – more robust than in council-run schools — which means any issues are identified and swift action can be taken.”
We constantly get this press release from the DfE when anything goes wrong with an Academy or Free School.
I find this insulting to ALL schools and teachers.
It implies that there is a lot of corruption going on in state schools but "we at the DfE" find out about it in Academies and Free Schools, and do something about it. In "council run" schools, all this corruption goes on and no-one does anything about it.
What other interpretation is there for this bog standard quote that keeps being trotted out?
I would love to see a follow up quote from an ASCL spokesperson.
"We are sick and tired of this DfE rhetoric which denigrates schools and teachers. It's about time the DfE showed some real leadership rather than playing these infantile games."
Have you ever seen an ASCL statement along these lines? Me neither.
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