'Serious' financial issues at schools' multi-academy
Google"Serious" financial issues have been uncovered at a multi-academy, the Department for Education (DfE) has said.
Sand Academies Trust, which runs primary and special education schools in Gloucestershire, has been issued a formal notice to improve by the DfE.
A trust spokesperson blamed the issues on accounting errors and said its schools will continue to operate as normal as it focuses on "putting things right".
Teachers' union NASUWT said staff and pupils should not have to pay the price through cuts to jobs or provision.
SAND Academies Trust runs Willow and Calton primary schools, Tredworth infant school and nursery, and Battledown, Belmont, Paternoster, Sladewood and The Milestone special educational schools.
The trust said the financial issues were due to accounting errors and financial decisions that took place under the previous leadership, and that an independent forensic investigation is under way.
It said it appointed a new interim CEO in April, and they will head up a structure recovery process.
"We understand that this news will be concerning for staff and families, and our priority is to be open and clear as we work through this," said a trust spokesperson.
'Unanswered questions'
Wendy Exton, NASUWT national executive member for Gloucestershire, expressed concerns about the trust's finances.
"There remain important unanswered questions about how money has been spent and how the finances have been allowed to be mismanaged so badly," she said.
"School staff and pupils have not caused these problems and we will oppose any attempts to make them pay the price through cuts to jobs or provision," she said.
Linda Cohen, Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet member responsible for Education, described the news as "concerning", accepting "the uncertainty" it will cause parents and pupils.
"We will work alongside partners, including the impacted schools within the trust, and the Department for Education, to help stabilise the situation," she said.
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