November 2014
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Given the rapid expansion of Academies and free schools since 2010, this timely seminar looked at the changing shape of England's school system, as all political parties began to develop their policies ahead of the 2015 General Election.
Delegates discussed accountability measures for free schools and Academies, including concerns raised by the report commissioned by the Education Select Committee which called for a tightening up of oversight and regulation for academies. The conference followed the introduction of Regional Schools Commissioners from September 2014 with responsibility for academies in their area. The conference also came amid increasing calls for new powers to be given to Ofsted to inspect academy chains as well as individual schools.
Further sessions focused on the wider impact of the increased diversity of school types, particularly on remaining maintained schools and the provision of local authority education services. Future policy options for the school system were also examined, including around the establishment and future oversight of new schools, and the freedoms afforded to free schools and Academies.
