Teacher training graphic

Government introduces new teacher training apprenticeships

PAG Staff2024, Article, Leadership, Policy, Recruitment, Schools

Government introduces newteaching apprenticeshipsThis autumn marks a revolutionary shift in the landscape of teacher training, recruitment, and education with the launch of a new teacher degree apprenticeship program. Aimed at transforming the way schools recruit teachers, this initiative is designed to support individuals who wish to earn while they study for a degree, offering a high-quality, alternative route into the …

The Emergency School Improvement Fund (ESIF)

PAG Staff2024, Article, bid writing, free schools, Fund, Grant, Schools

The Emergency School Improvement Fund (ESIF) Explained The Emergency School Improvement Fund (ESIF) from the Department for Education (DfE) is a crucial fund for schools to address challenges that demand immediate intervention. It is designed to offer financial support to schools that are facing unexpected or imminent failure in various areas such as leadership, governance, safeguarding, human resources, and finance.What is …

Kreston Reeves UK Academies Benchmark Report 2024

PAG Staff2024, Article, free schools, Fund, Governance, Leadership, online resources, Schools

Kreston Reeves UKAcademies Benchmark Report 2024The Kreston Reeves UK Academies Benchmark Report for 2024 presents an in-depth analysis of the financial health and operational challenges facing academy trusts across the United Kingdom. The report, which draws on data from nearly 300 Trusts and over 2,300 schools, offers a comprehensive overview of the sector’s current state, highlighting the resilience and challenges …

DfE Updates ESFA Guidance

PAG Staff2024, Article, free schools, Fund, Grant, Schools

DfE Updates ESFA Guidance The DfE recently updated it’s information and guidance on the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Please keep reading below for a summary of the key additions and changes. If you’re interested in funding for your school or trust, PAG has a significant history of supporting our clients to secure funding and would be delighted to speak …

Early Years Wraparound Funding

Early Years Wraparound Care Funding for LAs

PAG Staff2023, Capacity Mapping, Early Years, Fund, Local Authorities, Schools

Early Years Wraparound Care Funding for Local AuthoritiesThe DfE has published guidance and timelines for local authorities (LA), outlining its plans for changes to early years wraparound care funding and how it is utilised. The national wraparound childcare programme is part of the childcare reforms announced at the 2023 Spring Budget. The government’s ambition is that by 2026, all parents …

External Reviews of Governance

PAG Staff2023, Article, Capacity Mapping, Governance, Leadership, RAAC, Schools

External Reviews of GovernanceReviewing Your GovernanceIn this short blog, we discuss the importance and nuances of External Reviews of Governance (ERG) within the education sector and particularly within multi-academy trusts.Regular governance reviews are a critical aspect of good governance, demonstrating a trust’s commitment not only to the quality of its leadership and decision-makers, but also its preparedness for future plans …

RAAC: November Update

PAG Staff2023, Article, COVID-19, RAAC, Schools, Uncategorised

RAAC: November Update The Department for Education (DfE) has recently updated their list of schools and colleges confirmed to contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). As of October 16th, 214 schools are currently affected by RAAC. RAAC is a type of concrete which is lightweight and easier to produce than standard concrete but is less stable and prone to damage when …

Pre-Opening Project Management: Recruitment

PAG Staff2023, Article, Partnerships, Project Management, Recruitment, Schools, Uncategorised

Pre-Opening Project Management: Recruitment  When it comes to the pre-opening of a new school, one very important factor to consider is the recruitment of your new staff. Often, people begin recruiting staff 3-9 months before the opening of their new school. Our partners at MyNewTerm can help you manage this process and support you in finding suitable candidates to ensure …

Pre-Opening Project Management: Compliance

PAG Staff2023, Article, Partnerships, Project Management, Schools, Uncategorised

Pre-Opening Project Management: Compliance Opening a new free school can be daunting. There are many important factors to consider during the pre-opening phase to ensure the smooth running of your new school and the safety of students and staff. Our partners at Handsam offer crucial pre-opening project management services to support you with this, such as their Fire Risk Assessment, Competent …

Capital Project Management

PAG Staff2023, Article, free schools, Partnerships, Project Management, Schools, Uncategorised

Capital Project Management In August, the Department for Education (DfE) released the results of applications for free schools in the Wave 15 round. As successful applicants embark on the next stages of their free school journey, they encounter the challenging and time-consuming pre-opening phase. For many schools in the pre-opening phase, the initial hurdles involve finding and securing suitable sites and …