Now that schools in the UK are moving towards a Trust-led system, an updated framework is required to ensure the process and requirements are consolidated, simple and overarching for all schools in all Trusts. This updated framework has been released by the Department for Education, who have released a ‘common rulebook’ of statutory Trust standards. By releasing this updated framework, the Department for Education hope that the requirements for Trusts are clearer and more consistent as well as being simple for parents, pupils, and academy Trusts to understand.
These Academy Trust Standards will hopefully allow the government to improve performance by expanding the ways in which managerial and governance failures of Academy Trusts can be resolved and further reformed. The framework will also set out additional attendance policies and complaints management practices. Furthermore, as schools move into Trusts, they will be required to collaborate and work together with other Trusts to build constructive and positive partnerships.
Initially, the standards will focus on consolidating and improving existing requirements to create a solid base for further reform as the school Trust-led system evolves. The government has suggested that further changes will be influenced directly by Academy Trusts and schools to further inform what will work best for schools, Trusts, parents, and pupils. These changes will then be debated and voted on in both Houses and be subject to the government’s approval.
It has been brought to the attention of department leaders that requirements and standards differ across academies and even within academies. This has been highlighted as being difficult to understand and implement for schools and Trusts as well as giving confusing mixed standards for pupils and parents. The Secretary of State also has limited powers when it comes to intervention on academies not meeting requirements. These updated standards will allow more power for leaders to intervene and provide updated direction for the regulation of Academy Trusts.
These new Academy Trust Standards are due to be discussed in Parliament around or after September 2023 so no changes will be made before this discussion is completed. This is a great time to read up on the new Academy Trust Standards before the regulations come into force. Click here to have a read of the Schools Bill factsheet in your own time.
