Government must usher in a “new era of respect” and stop using the school sector as a “political football”, an influential former academy leader has warned.
Speaking today at Forum Strategy’s National #TrustLeaders CEO Conference 2022, Sir Steve Lancashire, the founder of England’s largest primary school-only academy chain, said that there must be a “new era” of cooperation from government.
“There is a real need to herald in a new era of respect for the profession from government,” he said.
“We need to stop being treated as a political football.”
Sir Steve, who stepped down from his role as the head of REAch2 Academy Trust earlier this month, also said that the need to fix the physical infrastructure of England’s schools is a “ticking time bomb” and a “once in a generation” investment is needed.
Speaking to Tes after his speech, Sir Steve said REAch2 analysis “showed that we needed £30 million to get our estate into working order but we were only getting £2.5 million a year.”
“It’s just a fact that a lot of our schools are not fit for purpose; I was having discussions with Lord Nash on this very issue eight years ago and we are no nearer a proper solution.”
The government revealed details of its energy price cap scheme earlier this week, which will support schools with their energy bills for six months from October.
However, school leaders, including Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said six months of support would not be long enough.
In his speech at the Trust Leaders conference, Sir Steve also cautioned the Department for Education over short-term policies.
“The government’s White Paper, [and other] DfE policies, do not yet fully cover the challenges we are facing and do not provide for the challenges we will face in the coming years, such as likely economic and labour market changes, climate change and sustainability issues.”
The Department for Education said it has committed £1.8 billion of funding to upgrade school buildings since the start of the year and it will be rolling out £53.8 billion of core support funding, including a £4 billion cash increase, through this academic year.
