The issue is that Academy Trusts are not accountable. They manufacture SEMH problems by insisting on inflexible disciplinary structures that fail children with behaviour problems and manufacture evidence to justify permanent exclusions. Those children are compelled to attend state schools who cannot cope with the numbers and are forced to access additional resources through EHCP plans. Tackle accountability in academies, unlink ofsted grading and SEND. Give separate judgements for SEND provision, give Local Authorities right of entry to academies to judge SEND provision and prioritise those flagged by LAs for inspection. I guarantee that academies would be up on arms at these proposals but that it would instantly focus minds on making effective provision in such schools and stem the rising tide of exclusions.
The issue is that Academy Trusts are not accountable. They manufacture SEMH problems by insisting on inflexible disciplinary structures that fail children with behaviour problems and manufacture evidence to justify permanent exclusions. Those children are compelled to attend state schools who cannot cope with the numbers and are forced to access additional resources through EHCP plans. Tackle accountability in academies, unlink ofsted grading and SEND. Give separate judgements for SEND provision, give Local Authorities right of entry to academies to judge SEND provision and prioritise those flagged by LAs for inspection. I guarantee that academies would be up on arms at these proposals but that it would instantly focus minds on making effective provision in such schools and stem the rising tide of exclusions.