Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Multi-academy Trusts: Ofsted

23 November 2021 · 4 other contributors · 9,029 words

Opened by Jonathan Gullis Con Stoke-on-Trent North

Responding minister: Robin Walker

Education

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jonathan Gullis raised concerns about multi-academy trusts: ofsted in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about disparity in educational standards between regions like Stoke-on-Trent and affluent areas like Camden, Kensington and Chelsea.
  • Gullis calls for formal inspection of multi-academy trust boards to ensure they act in the best interests of students.
  • Minister acknowledges Ofsted's role in school inspections and MAT summary evaluations, highlighting oversight through regional schools commissioners.

Key requests to Government

Gullis calls for the formal inspection of multi-academy trust boards to ensure they are performing in the best interests of students. He suggests that Ofsted should consider factors like student achievement across schools within a trust and the effectiveness of reversing underperformance. Gullis also urges the Minister to explore the role and powers of regional schools commissioners.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jonathan Gullis Con Stoke-on-Trent North

Jonathan Gullis is concerned about the disparity in educational standards between regions like Stoke-on-Trent and more affluent areas such as Camden, Kensington and Chelsea. He highlights that while there are multiple outstanding schools in these wealthier areas, only one secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent has received an outstanding rating from Ofsted. Gullis also mentions specific instances of wasteful spending by some multi-academy trusts, such as excessive executive expenses and unnecessary travel costs.

Other contributors (4)
  • Aaron Bell Con Wrexham

    Thanks my hon. Friend and neighbour for referencing the Shaw Education Trust, noting that it includes schools in his constituency such as the Orme Academy, highlighting how multi-academy trusts can spread best practice from one area to another, raising standards across boroughs.

  • Daniel Poulter Con Stretford and Urmston

    Commends my hon. Friend for securing the debate, asks whether he will discuss regional schools commissioners, expressing concern over lack of transparency in governance structures within multi-academy trusts and difficulty in holding them accountable, raises issue about how MPs can interact with commissioners to raise concerns.

  • David Johnston Con Wantage

    Mr Johnston thanked Jonathan Gullis for his work in education and expressed support for levelling up Stoke-on-Trent through educational reforms.

  • Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade

    There are 7,680 schools in multi-academy trusts, exerting significant influence over the school system. Peter argues for inspections of MATs on governance, efficiency, and safeguarding, emphasizing the importance of leadership in school success. He criticizes the Government's handling of the pandemic, noting that only 2.5% of school leaders felt supported by the DfE during this period. Welcomed the hon. Gentleman's challenge to Labour's record, pointing out that when Labour came to power in 1997, only 40% of students got five GCSEs including maths and English, which nearly doubled by the time they left office.

Government Response

Robin Walker

Acknowledged the importance of multi-academy trusts in improving educational outcomes, noting that there are now over 9,700 open academies with 55% of pupils studying in them. Described Ofsted's role in school inspections and MAT summary evaluations to provide accountability for trusts. Highlighted additional oversight through regional schools commissioners and the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Emphasised plans to review and potentially expand Ofsted's MAT evaluation programme and move towards a unified system where all schools are part of strong multi-academy trusts. Stressed the need to ensure proportionality, coherence, and transparency in accountability measures.

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