‘Barnsley Challenge’ to set out standards and values for schools

Barnsley Council is looking to create a set of standards which anyone wanting to open an academy in the town can sign up to.

The plan is being developed as an increasing number of schools opt out of council control across the country. New figures showed yesterday that, nationally, 97 more schools became academies in the past month – a rate of four every school day.

Academies are state-funded schools run independently from local council control.

The coalition Government has invited all schools to apply for these freedoms since taking office. There have been 1,353 existing schools apply to be an academy since June 2010 with 527 having already converted.

There are currently 52 academies in Yorkshire with plans for eight more set to be approved.

A statement from Barnsley Council said: “In light of the coalition Government’s drive to open up the academy programme to more schools, the council is looking to create a partnership to ensure the best outcomes for education and children across the borough. While it is recognised that, nationally, councils cannot prevent schools pursuing the academy approach in terms of school governance, locally there is a firm belief that there needs to be something in place to ensure that progress overall is maintained.”

The plan is for a partnership known as the Barnsley Challenge to “co-ordinate, broker and commission activity around schools”, with the aim of creating a common set of principles and values in all Barnsley schools regardless of whether they are academies.

Coun Linda Burgess, Cabinet member for children, young people and families said: “While acknowledging the coalition Government’s drive towards academies, we want what’s best for the children and young people of Barnsley. If we can get Government to approve our model we’ll be off to a good start.

“Despite everyone’s efforts so far, as a deprived borough we recognise that educational improvements, year on year, have some way to go. We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that, once children leave school, they are well prepared for life by gaining the qualifications they need. The Barnsley Challenge, will be a dynamic partnership to ensure all our young people enjoy success.”

Barnsley was the lowest ranked education authority in the region in this year’s secondary school league tables and in the bottom 10 nationally in terms of the number of pupils hitting GCSE targets.

Last year Wakefield Council passed a resolution opposing the creation of academies.

This motion has been sent to members of governing bodies at council-run schools across the district.