Overview

These Lords Amendments to the Education and Adoption Bill focus on strengthening the government's power to intervene in underperforming schools, both maintained and academies, introducing new definitions and procedures for identifying and addressing "coasting" schools (those not making sufficient progress) and those requiring significant improvement or special measures.

Description

The amendments introduce several key changes:

• Definition of "Coasting" Schools: The amendments clarify the definition of "coasting" schools and give the Secretary of State the power to define this term through regulations.
• Intervention in Maintained Schools: The Secretary of State's power to intervene in maintained schools deemed "coasting" is strengthened, requiring intervention rather than allowing for optional intervention.
• Intervention in Academies: New clauses allow the Secretary of State to terminate academy agreements if an academy is deemed to be "coasting" or requires special measures/significant improvement. This includes a process of issuing a "termination warning notice" giving the academy an opportunity to improve before termination.
• Information Sharing: A new clause mandates that before a maintained school is converted into an academy, the proposed proprietor must share their improvement plans with parents.
• Retroactive Application: The amendments apply retrospectively to existing academy agreements, ensuring that the new termination powers apply to them as well, with specific provisions addressing procedural and consequential matters.

Government Spending

The amendments don't directly specify government spending figures. However, potential impacts include increased costs associated with intervention in failing schools (supporting improvement plans, potential termination costs, etc.) and possibly savings in the long term if school performance improves.

Groups Affected

• Underperforming Schools (Maintained and Academies): These schools may face increased scrutiny and potential intervention, leading to changes in leadership, governance, and teaching practices.
• School Governing Bodies and Academy Proprietors: They will face enhanced accountability and a more rigorous process for addressing underperformance, potentially including the termination of their agreements.
• Parents and Pupils: Parents will receive more information about planned improvements in maintained schools converting to academies. Changes to school leadership and practices may affect pupils' educational experience.
• The Secretary of State for Education: Increased responsibilities and powers to intervene in underperforming schools.
• Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills): Their role in assessing school performance and advising on intervention will be amplified.

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