The report presented by the Assistant Director of Education presented a report by the Director of Children, Families and Education which provided an update on the content of the Government’s White Paper on schools entitled ‘ Opportunity for all: Strong schools with great teachers for your child’.  The report highlighted the key aspects of the white paper and the impact that this could have on the school system. The white paper was appended to the report.

In response to a question, members were advised how one of the key changes should the legislation be enacted would be that all schools will be an academy school by 2030. Members were further advised how a steering group consisting of headteachers of community maintained schools had been established to consider the implications.

A discussion then ensued regarding budgeting for both academies and maintained schools and members were appraised of the arrangements for both and the key difference being that a maintained school can set a deficit budget were as an academy cannot.

Resolved – That the report be noted