CST welcomes renewed commitment to strong trust ambition

The ambition was set out in last year's school's white paper, before the current Department for Education ministerial team was appointed, but has been confirmed today in an answer to a written Parliamentary question.

 

In the response Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools said: "The Department is focused on continuing to improve standards in schools, providing the best education for children, including for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs. The best way for this to happen is for all schools to be in strong families of schools, benefitting from the support of the best in the group, and the resilience that comes from being part of a larger group of schools. That is why, over time, the Department would like all schools to be in a strong multi-academy trust, because we see the positive impact it can have on children’s lives. If we get this right then we will see the vast majority of schools in trusts before 2030. The Department is exploring how to further support the growth of strong multi-academy trusts through the Regulation and Commissioning Review."

 

Welcoming the clarification of the Government's position CST chief executive Leora Cruddas CBE said: "We believe that strong trusts have considerable benefits to pupils, teachers, and the education system as a whole and are the best bet for a self-improving system based on research and shared best-practice.

 

"We have never been in favour of schools being forced to join a trust but it is encouraging to see the Government renewing its commitment to the sector as a way of supporting all children, and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs."