Following consultation, and with the support of governors and the local authority, Swanley Technology College became a Kemnal Trust School on 8th June 2010.
New Accreditation System For School Providers Who Will Turn Round Underperforming Schools
Leading education institutions and other successful organisations will gain a 'kitemark' to set up chains of schools under plans announced by Ed Balls today. This will mean extending the reach of the best leaders, spreading their excellence and making sure that every school is a good school.
The new accreditation process will be used to select partners and sponsors for trust schools, federations and Academies. The Government will provide £20m to enable the providers to drive improvement across the system.
The proposals have already gained widespread support and following the consultation we expect that 50 providers will apply for the first wave in 2011. Among those who have said they will apply are the Harris Federation, Outwood Grange Family, The Kemnal Trust and Barnfield College, some of the strongest sponsor and partner organisations in the country.
There will be two categories. Accredited School Providers (ASP) will take over up to two underperforming schools in need of rapid, sustainable school improvement. Those providers with the best track records will be able to become an Accredited Schools Group (ASG) and run more than 3 schools or academies.
To achieve accreditation providers will need to demonstrate
• sound governance;
• effective leadership and management;
• a strong model for managing and improving schools;
• a track record of improving outcomes for children and young people; and
• the capacity to achieve transformational change in the schools they are supporting.
Research published today by the National College (formerly NCSL) shows that school federations raise standards, and are particularly strong when strong schools federate with lower attaining schools.
Potential providers will include successful schools, colleges, universities and other organisations like business, charity, faith and parents groups. The system will be robust, but quick and light touch.
This builds on what has worked successfully in the Academies and National Challenge programmes. We expect that our proposals will reduce the overall burden for Academy sponsors by making sponsor selection more uniform and transparent and we will seek to achieve the same outcome for those leading Majority Trusts and Federations.
National Leaders of Education, who are recognised as some of the best headteachers in the country, also gave their support, John Atkins of the Kemnal Trust in Bromley said:
"I welcome these proposals for the accreditation of new school providers. Bringing in those with the proven skills and experience to help turn around schools is an important step forward in the continuing drive to raise standards. Kemnal Technology College has successfully supported other schools through the Kemnal Trust and I look forward to putting the Trust forward as one of the first organisations to seek accreditation. "