Executive summary
Putting aside the detail of the findings for one moment,
one of the very interesting aspects of this year's
survey is that, unlike in previous years, there is far
less divergence of opinions between academy and
maintained school respondents. This perhaps reflects
the fact that we are now entering into the sixth year
of the expanded academies programme and all schools
are feeling the continued effects of the changing
accountability measures, frailties of the examination
system as well as financial restraint in the public sector.
Two clear themes struck me when looking at the survey
findings. The Government's education programme
heavily relies on school leaders and it is clear more
needs to be done to support current leaders as well as
identifying and developing the leaders of the future.
With continuation of the academy programme at pace
and the emergence of more local school groups this will
be a critical part of succession planning at both a local
and national level.
This Government also needs to follow through on
its manifesto commitments on schools funding. The
Conservative manifesto made a commitment to provide
'proper funding' to every school and to 'make schools
funding fairer'. However, Nicky Morgan has said the new
funding formula will not be ready until September 2017 at
the very earliest. Many will remember the last Education
Secretary of State started consultation on fair funding in
2012 but progress soon stalled.
Whilst 2017 will feel too late for many, it is important to
ensure that this time real progress will be delivered for our
worst funded schools and their pupils. The Prime Minister's
announcement in July this year that the additional £390m
previously confirmed for 2015-16 would be base-lined
in budgets for future years was a welcome start. Any
additional measures the Chancellor can facilitate in the
comprehensive spending review to help narrow the gap
pending the full implementation of fair funding will be
very welcome.
If you would like to discuss our findings, please get in
touch.
Nick MacKenzie
Partner - Browne Jacobson LLP
Welcome to the report on the findings of our third annual survey
of school leaders. Once again we are delighted to have carried
out this year's survey in partnership with ASCL. This year's
survey provides an interesting opportunity to look back and see
how opinions and attitudes have changed following the general
election earlier this year.
About Browne Jacobson
Browne Jacobson is an award winning law firm offering a unique range of education legal and HR support to schools
and academies from its five office network. The team works alongside ASCL and are approved partners of FASNA,
NGA and NASBM. They currently support in excess of 1,000 schools and academies. The team of specialist education
lawyers and HR consultants are independently recognised as one of the leading education teams in the country. If you
wish to find out more please visit www.brownejacobson.com/education
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