The Tory Council's refusal to apply for a Government waiver from having to offer the planned new Secondary Schools for tender - as they believe they have a 'slim chance of success' despite the creditable performances of Sandown and Medina High Schools in recent years (see my post of 3rd June) - could see a rush of applications by current High Schools to become Trust Schools ahead of the tender process in November-February. That way existing High School governing bodies can tender to take over the new Secondary Schools, which are likely to become Trust schools anyway, no matter who ends up winning the tender process. At least two or three applications are rumoured to be in the pipeline.
Some people may see that as the sensible way forward, particularly if the school is an improving one, but personally I deeply regret and oppose the Tory decision not to apply for a waiver.
'Trust schools' were a very contentious part of the Government's 2006 Education & Inspections Act within the Labour Party. The reasons being:
1. School land and buildings transfer from Local Authority ownership (i.e. ours) to the Trust; also all staff are employed by the Trust rather than the Council;
2. The Trust will appoint more than half the new governing body - no more of the significant elected parent governor bloc (usually one third) - a major reduction in parent power;
3. The Trust can set its own admission arrangements - a threat to fair access opportunities.
I was opposed to the legislation as it went through Parliament and I maintain my belief that Trust Schools are a very bad thing for the above reasons.
Therefore, although we will not get a waiver from them on the Island due to the Tory Council's refusal to apply for one, I will maintain my opposition to them and will seek to ensure that the consultation on establishing them early on the Island is as wide and as open as possible.
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