Advisory group to look into academy trust schools

A council has agreed to set up a group to explore the effects strict discipline in multi-academy trust schools has on pupils.

Cornwall Council has voted to develop an advisory group to work with parents and teachers to find out more about the mental health and wellbeing of children and report its findings to the Department for Education.

The decision was taken following complaints from parents about the negative impact the discipline policies of some schools were having on children.

Councillor Hilary Frank, cabinet member for children, schools and families, said the group would "create space for constructive dialogue and careful evidence-gathering".

Councillor James Ball, who led the motion for the development of the advisory group, said at some schools, pupils had been removed from classrooms for not looking in the right direction or because their pen had run out of ink.

He said girls having their period who needed to go to the toilet had to request specific permission from the teacher in front of the class.

Councillor Adrian Parsons, who seconded the motion, said he considered it to be "a profound crisis" after he had heard "deeply sobering stories" from parents.

At the council's annual meeting, five of the nine public questions were from parents concerned about academy trust schools.

The trust schools are funded by and accountable to the Secretary of State and Department for Education.

One of the parents told the council they thought the academy trusts had seemed "to be untouchable for years".

Frank responded: "The council does have a key role as a local leader for children and families but we do not have the legal powers to direct academy trusts."

Another parent asked whether the council would support efforts to hold school trustees "to their legal, regulatory and moral obligations towards our children".

Frank said government reforms were coming into effect which were intended to strengthen accountability and local engagement with trust schools.

She said: "The council's advisory group will give us as councillors an opportunity to directly interact with parents and get a better understanding of children's lived experiences in Cornwall's education system."

"While setting up the group will not result in change overnight, it is a step in the right direction," she added.

"We want schools where children feel safe, included, supported and able to thrive."

A spokesperson for Athena Learning Trust said it was happy to work with local authorities.

"The wellbeing of the students in our care must always be at the centre of all the decisions we make and we want to work closely with all relevant external agencies to support our work in this area."

A spokesperson for the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust said it would welcome the new committee.

"As always, it will be important that any engagement is balanced, evidence-informed and recognises the complexity of supporting both high expectations in schools and the wellbeing of pupils," they added.

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