This report recommends a three-phase programme of reform to ensure this happens. The first phase would see the development of an aligned, coherent, legal and regulatory structure for MATs and local authorities.
Leora Cruddas CBE, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts said: "This report makes a very valuable contribution to the debate on system reform. The historical perspective is very helpful in understanding how the system has developed over time. We agree with the need to be create an aligned, coherent, legal and regulatory structure for trusts and local authorities, although we would have some concerns about requiring trusts to discuss their growth plans with local authorities. We believe that growth plans are a matter for the regulator.
"We do not believe that it is necessary to wait for the legal and regulatory structures to be in place before the ambition is set for all schools to be part of a strong trust. As CST members know, we believe that the government should set out this ambition now.
"We find many of the proposals in this report helpful, however, we do not agree with giving schools in a trust separate legal recognition. It is fundamentally important to system coherence that the trust remains the legal entity. We believe that the creation of a strong regulator will ensure that they system remains dynamic and that trusts will not drift towards stasis. But points of difference in the debate are central to building a strong system! Our warmest thanks to Sam for such a comprehensive, thoughtful and considered contribution.”
