Council ‘should intervene’ at failing academies

Shropshire Council bosses should be able to intervene when academy schools are rated poorly by Ofsted it has been claimed.

Councillor Roger Evans, leader of the Lib Dem group on Shropshire Council said it was not right that the council do not step in to help run schools which have switched from being council-run to academy-run.

He said that he is concerned that Shropshire children could be taught at schools without the local authority input when things are not going well.

He was speaking after the Shrewsbury Academy was rated inadequate by Ofsted inspectors last month and was taken over by The Marches Academy Trust.

“I am concerned that when these academies go into special measures or are rated inadequate that we are not stepping in,” he said.

“The local authority should be stepping in when these schools are in dire straits – they are Shropshire children and Shropshire Council should be there for them.

“These are our children and there needs to be a way to make sure we are doing best by them.”

It comes after it was revealed that Shropshire Council misses out on £1,900 funding each time a school takes on academy status, it has been revealed.

The council’s People Overview Committee, was told the authority also saw a £1.2 million reduction due to the removal of the education services grant in 2018/19.

Councillor Kevin Pardy, said children are “suffering” at the Shrewsbury Academy in his ward, and he has concerns for its future.

He said: “I want the council to be able to step into academies during times like this as I am so worried by the anecdotal evidence I am given.

“What I am told has been going on sounds really worrying. I am concerned and wish we could say we’re going in and sort it out.”

Councillor Peggy Mullock, member for Whitchurch, added: “We had a similar situation at Sir John Talbots but we are living proof that you can do it.

“We joined the Marches Academy and we are now doing well. It has been a hard path but you will get there.”