William Eichler 10 May 2022

Council-maintained schools perform better than academies, report finds

Council-maintained schools perform better than academies, report finds image
Image: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com.

Schools that stay with their council are more likely to perform better than those that convert to an academy, a new report has found.

A new study carried out for the Local Government Association (LGA) has found that 92% of council-maintained schools were rated outstanding or good by Ofsted as of 31 January 2022, compared to 85% of academies that were graded since they converted.

The Government intends to persuade all schools to become academies by 2030. However, the LGA argues that the high level of performance among council-maintained schools shows that they will need convincing if they are to change.

The research, which looked at school Ofsted ratings between August 2018 and January 2022, also found that only 45% of academies that were an academy in August 2018 were able to improve from inadequate or requires improvement to good or outstanding, compared to 56% of council-maintained schools.

Just over 80% of council-maintained schools retained their outstanding rating, compared to 72% of outstanding academies that received inspections in their current form and did not inherit grades from their former maintained school status.

Nearly 30% of the same academy cohort saw their outstanding rating fall compared to 19% of council-maintained schools.

Commenting on the research, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: ‘Regardless of whether a school is an academy or council-maintained, what is most important is that children receive the very best education and start in life. This is something we all aspire to achieve.

‘While academisation can be a positive choice in some cases, these findings raise questions over whether a one-size-fits-all approach is a guaranteed way of improving results and strengthening a school’s performance.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner