academy conversion

Academy Conversion & MAT Formation

PAG Staff2024, Case Studies, free schools, Governance, online resources, Project Management, Schools, Transition

Academy Conversions & MAT Formation In the last decade, the landscape of the English education system has undergone significant transformations, with a prominent shift towards the conversion of traditional state schools into academies, and the formation of multi-academy trusts (MATs). This movement has reshaped the way education is managed and delivered, offering a new paradigm that promised enhanced autonomy, tailored educational …

Title reads 'A PAG report on establishing children's homes

Children’s Homes: A PAG Report

PAG Staff2024, Article, Case Studies, Independent schools, Local Authorities, Policy, Schools, wellbeing

Children’s Homes:A PAG Report The landscape of children’s social care in England is evolving, with the government committing significant resources to expand and improve children’s home placements. Using publicly available data and studies, and our own experience and expertise, PAG has produced a report titled ‘Establishing Children’s Homes’, looking into what it takes to successfully establish and operate a children’s home …

Independent Schools VAT

Independent Schools VAT – SEND Exemption?

PAG Staff2024, Article, Independent schools, Inequalities, Policy, Schools, SEND

Independent Schools VAT – SEND Exemption? In recent discussions within the UK’s educational and political landscapes, a crucial debate has emerged concerning the application of VAT on school fees, specifically regarding provisions for special needs education (SEND) within independent schools.Independent Schools VAT Row?  As of January and April 2023, contrasting positions have been highlighted by Bridget Phillipson in the House of Commons …

DfE replaces governance handbook

Governance handbook replaced by DfE

PAG Staff2024, Article, free schools, Governance, online resources, Policy, Schools

New Governance Guides for Schools and Academy Trusts:A Simplified Approach  The Department for Education (DfE) has taken a significant step forward in the realm of educational governance by releasing two specialised guides aimed at maintained schools and academy trusts, effectively replacing the previous DfE Governance Handbook updated in January 2017. This move marks a pivotal shift towards simplification and focus …

A look at the length of England's school day

EPI: A look a the length of England’s school day

PAG Staff2024, Article, free schools, online resources, Policy, Schools

EPI: ‘An evidence review into the length of the school day’Assessing England’s School DayIn February 2024, the Education Policy Institute (EPI) published a pivotal report titled “An evidence review into the length of the school day,” examining the potential impacts of extending school hours in England. This paper was prompted by the UK government’s 2022 white paper “Opportunity for all: …

ACDS Children's Services Blog Title Image

ACDS publishes updated children’s services policy paper

PAG Staff2024, Article, Attainment Gap, Case Studies, Early Years, Government reporting, Inequalities, Local Authorities, Policy, Schools

ACDS publishes updated children’s services policy paper In a compelling update to its 2017 policy position paper, “A Country That Works for All Children,” the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ACDS) has released a new policy paper that serves as both a reflection on the past seven years and a fervent call to action. This latest document underscores the persistent …

TCaF Blog Title Image

Trust Capacity Fund (TCaF)

PAG Staff2024, Article, bid writing, Capacity Mapping, free schools, Fund, Grant, Project Management, Recruitment, TCaF

The Trust Capacity Fund (TCaF)The Department for Education’s Trust Capacity Fund (TCaF) is designed to support the growth and development of academy trusts in England, offering financial assistance for trusts to enhance their capacity for managing more schools effectively. This funding aims at encouraging trusts to expand and improve, particularly by taking on underperforming schools in areas of high need, …

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 …

11-16 Education Committee Report: Government Responds

PAG Staff2024, Article, free schools, Government reporting, Policy, Press Release

House of Lords 11-16 Education Report and Government Response Education for 11–16 Year Olds Committee Report In a 2023 report titled ‘Requires Improvement: Urgent Change for 11-16 Education’, a House of Lords Committee outlined relatively severe reforms it felt were urgently needed to improve the standards of 11-16 year olds’ education, with particular reference to the digital and green economies. A brief …