Education
School powers transfer ‘threat to local democracy’
The Scottish Government’s plans to transfer responsibility for school improvement to new regional bodies threaten to undermine local democracy, a senior Labour councillor has claimed.
Say, what’s her name?
Diary has been busy doing some hardcore investigative journalism.
Power for good in an uncertain world
Six months into her term as Ofsted’s chief inspector, Amanda Spielman speaks about the watchdog’s role in children’s services improvement and offers some messages for those in the sector. Sam Clayden reports
New school powers will hinder local accountability for Scots
New powers awarded to schools by the Scottish Government will erode local accountability, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has warned.
Equipping children for our diverse society
Yvette Thomas outlines how Buckinghamshire CC is partnering with the third sector to cut out racism and discrimination from an early age.
Time for some new school thinking?
At a recent The MJ round table, council chief executives and senior managers met to discuss the role of local government in schools and the changing landscape of the education system. Dan Peters reports.
Gloucestershire leadership questioned in Ofsted report
Gloucestershire CC children’s services has been rated inadequate by Ofsted in a report that highlighted serious concerns about the council’s leadership.
May is now uniquely exposed to backbench revolts on public sector reforms
Michael Burton unpicks the numbers in the wake of the shock General Election result.
Single pension scheme for academies mooted
A single local government pension scheme (LGPS) fund for all academies could be created, a report has suggested.
Prospects purchases Homes 2 Inspire
Prospects Group UK, a provider of education, employment and care for children, has bought the children’s homes business, Homes 2 Inspire.
Academies put authorities under financial pressure
The increasing number of academies and free schools is forcing councils to put money aside in case it hits their business rates income, the Society of County Treasurers (SCT) has complained to the Government.
All the fun of the farm
Is feeding defrosted rodents to a python called Cuddles your idea of fun?
School place shortage is at crisis levels
It is vitally important that greater collaboration between the private and public sector is fostered in order to face the uphill battle local authorities and schools have on their hands, wrights Mark Robinson.
We’re getting with the programme
The national approach to safeguarding must be broadened if children’s services departments are to take into account risks from outside the family home, writes Sarah Wright.
PAC chair: Brexit to lead to rushed and bad decisions
The chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee has predicted Brexit will lead to ‘rushed and bad decisions’ by Whitehall.
Interim directors to leave Wolverhampton
Two interim directors are leaving Wolverhampton City Council, it has been announced.
Budget 2017: Funding for new wave of free schools
Chancellor Philip Hammond has today confirmed a £320m funding package to build 110 new free schools.
MPs: Councils should be able to create multi-academy trusts
Local authorities with a track record of strong educational performance should be allowed to create their own multi-academy trusts (MATs), MPs have said.
Rethinking children’s social care in Bradford
Having received Government funding for its Rethinking Social Care project, Bradford City Council is seeking to transform the way it cares for children with complex needs. Michael Jameson explains.
Schooling: share best practice to eradicate CSE
Ofsted’s national director for social care has urged councils and partner organisations to better share best practice in an effort to ‘disrupt, prevent and put an end to’ child sexual exploitation.