Schools Secretary calls for applications for accredited schools provider and group status
The government has called on schools and education institutions, business, faith and charity groups to apply to become the first Accredited Schools Groups and Accredited Schools Providers.
Under the new regime, the groups will be able to obtain a ‘chartermark’ to support or take over under-performing schools. The organisations selected will be eligible to partner or sponsor trust schools, federations and academies.
To achieve accreditation, providers will be expected to demonstrate the following:
- Sound governance
- Highly 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.
The government promised the application system would be “rigorous, but light touch” to encourage the best providers to apply.
It has set up two levels of accreditation. Accredited Schools Providers will be eligible to take over up to two underperforming schools “in need of rapid, sustainable school improvement”. Providers that are successful and develop capacity can apply to become Accredited Schools Groups leading three or more schools.
Accreditation can be removed if providers fail to maintain standards or the behaviour expected of them. Existing sponsors and partners do not have to apply for accreditation for existing academies or schools, but will need to do so if they are to run future projects.
Further application rounds are expected to take place later this year, including the opportunity to take on primary school projects.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: “We want the best possible schools and organisations to apply. We know that strong providers can bring about dramatic improvements in school standards, and we have seen this in the Academies programme and in highly effective federations.”
