It has been explained to me today that the post below misinterprets the Chair of Governors statement of 12 February. For clarity, I am very happy to make clear that, regrettably, it appears that the Federation had always intended to consult with parents over a shorter timescale than six months. However, I think this update only strengthens the three conclusions at the end of the post:
In full, the statement on the Federation website states that:
"The
Governing Board of the Leathersellers' Federation of Schools would like to
inform all its stakeholders that it has made an application to the Secretary of
State to grant an Academy Order.
If an Academy Order is granted there will follow a period of consultation. Governors will then review the responses to consultation. If Governors decide to proceed, there will then be a full process of TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment).
In parallel there is a consultation with regards to the Public Finance Initiative (PFI) status of two of the schools.
It is anticipated this process will take six months. After these consultations the Governing Board will take a decision as to whether or not to proceed to academy conversion". (See: http://www.leathersellers-federation.com/179/news/article/18/governing-board-announcement )
I have been informed that the reference to 'six months' should be read as referring to the process of PFI consultation, not the consultation with stakeholders. Parents and staff are awaiting an announcement from the Governors as to exactly what timescales will operate for that consultation and whether or not it will take place before the General Election or would be postponed until afterwards - as originally implied in the letter to staff of Feb 12:
Again, for sake of clarity, to quote from the letter in full:
"The Governing Board of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools has voted to apply to the Department for Education (DfE) for an Academy Order so that the Federation may become a charitable multi academy trust. If the Order is granted by the DfE, the Governing Board will initiate a consultation under the Academies Act 2010. The point of the consultation is to consult on the proposed Order. The Governing Board is mindful that the DfE, together with the rest of government, will go into purdah on March 30th prior to the general election on 7th May 2015. The Governing Board, in the event of being granted an Academy Order, has been advised to postpone consultation until after the general election".
If an Academy Order is granted there will follow a period of consultation. Governors will then review the responses to consultation. If Governors decide to proceed, there will then be a full process of TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment).
In parallel there is a consultation with regards to the Public Finance Initiative (PFI) status of two of the schools.
It is anticipated this process will take six months. After these consultations the Governing Board will take a decision as to whether or not to proceed to academy conversion". (See: http://www.leathersellers-federation.com/179/news/article/18/governing-board-announcement )
I have been informed that the reference to 'six months' should be read as referring to the process of PFI consultation, not the consultation with stakeholders. Parents and staff are awaiting an announcement from the Governors as to exactly what timescales will operate for that consultation and whether or not it will take place before the General Election or would be postponed until afterwards - as originally implied in the letter to staff of Feb 12:
Again, for sake of clarity, to quote from the letter in full:
"The Governing Board of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools has voted to apply to the Department for Education (DfE) for an Academy Order so that the Federation may become a charitable multi academy trust. If the Order is granted by the DfE, the Governing Board will initiate a consultation under the Academies Act 2010. The point of the consultation is to consult on the proposed Order. The Governing Board is mindful that the DfE, together with the rest of government, will go into purdah on March 30th prior to the general election on 7th May 2015. The Governing Board, in the event of being granted an Academy Order, has been advised to postpone consultation until after the general election".
Original post on March 6th:
This urgent update has just been posted on the Stop Academies in Lewisham Facebook page:
FROM 6 MONTHS to 6 WEEKS?
TIME TO STEP UP FURTHER.
On February 12th, the Chair of Governors, Christopher Barrow, posted on the Federation Website that "The Governing Board of the Leathersellers' Federation of Schools would like to inform all its stakeholders that it has made an application to the Secretary of State to grant an Academy Order. If an Academy Order is granted there will follow a period of consultation. It is anticipated this process will take six months"
Today, the Governors have announced that the Academy Order has been granted by the Government (no surprise there) but that "the consultation will last six weeks". Are they deliberately ignoring the voices of the school community and pressing ahead at even greater speed?
Once again, they are not giving clear information on timescales but could they be seeking to launch this consultation soon after their Governors' meeting next Tuesday, then perhaps extend the six weeks over the Easter holidays, so that it can be finished in time for a final Funding Agreement to be signed off soon after the General Election and a new Government in mid-May??
We all have to respond, and fast:
1) With immediate demands for a full and open consultation, with those opposed to the proposal given as many rights as those in favour, and then a full ballot of staff and parents on the proposal.
2) A timetable for any consultation that does not begin until after the General Election, as first stated by the Governors. Local councillors and MPs need to be told that, unless they are happy for the Election campaign to be dominated by the academies issue, then they should urgently come out in opposition to the plans - or, at the very least, support a full and open consultation and parental ballot to be put in place after May 7.
3) Unions are discussing escalating to a two-day strike as well.
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