E-ACT is a model for multi-academy sponsors

The Government has signalled that the academies programme is moving into a new phase with sponsors being sought with a track record and the skills and leadership to take forward the next wave. Multi-academy sponsor E-ACT has established an organisation that could prove to be a model for education providers of the future, says its Director General, the former Schools Commissioner Sir Bruce Liddington.

On September 1, E-ACT became responsible for around 6000 students and almost 1000 staff. We now manage seven open academies, with more in the pipeline for next year. One of our first tasks has been to establish with each academy a supportive and appropriately challenging relationship as the sponsoring organisation.

Prior to our involvement most predecessor schools were used to local governance and significant local authority engagement and control. One of the benefits of academy status is the freedom to innovate and help transform the institution into a truly focused learning organisation that delivers better outcomes, and thereby improved life opportunities, for students.

I want each of our academies to be as autonomous as possible – while understanding that through E-ACT the academies are accountable to many different stakeholders, including DCSF and the Charities Commission.

We are extremely conscious of the importance of carefully monitoring the performance of each academy as we move quickly to raise standards. E-ACT is achieving this through effective challenge and rigorous support – helping each academy to make a step-change improvement in standards.

As ever, up-to-date and accurate performance and management information is critical. Most of this will be available via newly constituted governing bodies – and we collect a series of key performance indicators at the centre of the organisation in order to provide the level of support, or where necessary, intervention, that may be required.

However I want to reward success and excellence and each Principal and governing body can earn more autonomy based on achieving significant improvement in results and outcomes for students and by being an employer of choice.

To encourage innovation and transformation we have delegated extensive powers from the E-ACT Board to local governing bodies. I appoint chairs and vice chairs of governors and chairs of finance sub committees and I expect each board to be a dynamic, diverse and balanced body that is well placed to challenge and monitor the performance of the relevant academy, securing excellent educational provision and acting as a critical friend.

The E-ACT Board is the ultimate governing body for all academies. Five chairs of governing bodies sit on the Board and can influence the organisation’s direction of travel. EACT appoints the majority of local governors in each academy

Corporately, E-ACT retains responsibility for a number of core areas, such as ensuring delegated funds are spent appropriately and most importantly, ensuring that standards of attainment improve quickly.

Organisation

In addition we have developed core professional support and advisory services centrally to ensure our academies receive appropriate guidance and support. Procurement is one of the most obvious benefits arising from centralised support. E-ACT is building a network of suppliers and can command strong buying power that helps reduce costs to academies. Other services are available ‘on demand’ including legal and HR advice. And all academies benefit from our ICT strategy, which includes a Virtual Learning Environment to facilitate the sharing of good practice and to promote good communication throughout the organisation. Each of our academies has details of the individual service ‘offering’ - and a clear explanation in terms of the support on offer and the delegated responsibilities of academies.

We have created largely autonomous academies which benefit from directed and focused support from E-ACT. We apply strong improvement and project management skills, together with effective professional support services.

This is very much a partnership arrangement where we encourage academies to continue to develop a culture of diversity, tolerance and equality. Our aim is to deliver excellence in education for all, supporting our students to become successful citizens. That requires a step change improvement in standards. And it requires inspirational, personalised learning for all, promoting social and community cohesion. These are the hallmarks of E-ACT academies.

Reform

I believe E-ACT is at the forefront of the next wave of reform in education. The model of academy chains could comfortably be extended to include primary provision. This applies equally to groups of threatened small, rural primaries as it does to clusters in the inner cities.

There is a lot of work to be done if we are to close the unacceptably large gap between higher and lower standards of attainment across England. National initiatives are making a difference, but there is a new model of collaboration between the public sector and not-for-profit organisations such as E-ACT. We are brokering innovative solutions and bringing new partners to the table – from major universities to some of the most successful businesses in the UK and internationally.

It is time to embrace this change and encourage diverse and effective forms of management and support in primary and secondary education management and provision. Through the academies programme, E-ACT is leading the way.