Academies Regulatory and Commissioning Review

It is focused around three core policies to:

"1:   improve our regulatory structure so it is more proportionate and effective;

2:    make better and more transparent commissioning decisions; and

3:    enhance the way the department supports trust improvement and growth to facilitate a self-improving system".

The Review received specific input from an External Advisory Group made up of sector leaders, academics and regulators as well as a wider range of stakeholders. Certain priorities identified for the Group were: (i) coherence from a single regulatory strategy, (ii) protection of freedoms and autonomy and (iii) clarity on what it means to be a high quality trust.

The Review talks about the need for an ongoing process of engagement and collaboration to 'get this right'.

The proposals/outcome from the Review are set out below.

Chapter 1: Proposed improvements to the regulatory structure:

• A single regulatory interface between the DfE and the trusts through the Regions Group (which has already since September 2022 combined the previous functions of the DfE and the non-financial roles of the EFSA).
• A revised Academy Trust Handbook for September 2023 which will be more streamlined and rationalised. A 'Simplification Project' may potentially reduce the number of matters on which approval must be sought.
• Matters which previously featured as 'standards' in the draft Schools Bill (such as collaboration) will be incentivised instead through the descriptions of trust quality (see below).
• Continued use of Ofsted judgements as a trigger for intervention and an increase in the use of data post Covid.
• Further exploration of the use of existing powers to intervene at trust level in cases of sustained educational failure.

Chapter 2: Building a clear approach to trust quality and commissioning:

• Development of expanded descriptions of trust quality. These were published in April are intended to be finalised following feedback in June: Trust quality descriptions. The descriptions are framed around five pillars (building those set out in the Schools White Paper):

1. High Quality and Inclusive Education.
2. School Improvement.
3. Workforce.
4. Finance and Operations.
5. Governance and Leadership.

(It is expected that these descriptions will further develop over time - particularly in how they can support the delivery of the SEND and AP National Standards and the findings of the Confederation of Schools Trust's enquiry into effective practice in trusts).

These descriptions will inform commissioning decisions about the creation and growth of trusts. It is not intended that summative judgements will be made by the Regions Group of trust quality, but that the descriptions will help determine the right trust to manage a school in its particular context.

• Publication of clear and consolidated commissioning guidance in June 2023 - for implementation in the autumn.
• Publication of 'Trust Development statements' for the 55 Educational Investment Areas: setting a clear strategic direction for these areas identified as being the most challenging.

Chapter 3: Supporting all trusts to adopt effective practice, facilitating a dynamic and self-improving system:

• Launch of the MAT CEO Leadership Development Programme in 2023 (for first intake early 2024). The contents of the programme have been published here.
• Support for the professional development of MAT CFOs, including facilitating one to one mentoring from the summer this year expanding on the pilot scheme led by the Institute of School Business Leaders, found here.
• Trial regional trust development networks to facilitate peer-to-peer support.
• The delivery of £86m of Trust Capacity Funding for 2022- 25 (applications for which opened on 3 April 2023).
• Continue to fund high quality trusts to support weaker trusts through their 'Trust and School Improvement Offer'.

The intention is articulated through the following words: "Spreading the most effective practice to all trusts and schools is at the heart of our strategy for the trust sector. By making it easier to access the experience of others and articulate what works, we can help spread effective practice more quickly and encourage a culture of continuous improvement and innovation".

At VWV, we'll continue to monitor these developments and how they affect our clients.

For more information on the review, please contact Chloe Brunton in our Education team on 07920 281 889. Alternatively, please complete the form below.