Parents and a union have raised concerns about a joint governing body’s plan for two Hove schools to become academies.
The schools – West Hove Infant School and Hove Junior School which form the Hove Learning Federation – are currently holding a four-week consultation on joining the Aurora Academies Trust. The consultation is due to end on Tuesday 10 December.
Parent Vivoula Volgas went to a meeting with school governors and representatives of Aurora on Monday (18 November) and raised concerns about the proposals.
She said: “Our main concern is that we cannot trust a business with our children’s education and future.
“We want the local authority to step up and fund adequately our outstanding school so that it can continue to flourish.”
Among parents’ concerns are Aurora’s membership of a large international education network and the financial stability of the sponsor company Pansophic UK Learning Limited.
Public service union Unison is also concerned about the consultation process and the union’s previous knowledge of Aurora Academies Trust.
Unison rep Matt Webb said: “Academisation does not replace the local authority. It replaces the local governing body. In theory, the academy trust could buy into the services provided by the local authority.
“The school governors appear to be unwittingly placing their own heads on the block. The academy model removed all autonomy for the schools.
“The school would no longer be run by a local governing body. It would be run by academy trustees who run another seven schools and are directors of private companies that profit from providing educational services.
“The school will have no choice over what services the school uses, how it is run, what curriculum is used and at what financial cost.
“And if the trust decides to re-broker the school to another trust later down the line, there will be nothing anyone else can do.
“There are huge limitations and huge risks which nobody wants to talk about. I am sure that these sorts of financial arrangements between academy trusts and private companies are very common but unless we pull them out into the open and examine what is going on, it will continue to go on.
“It will go on largely ignored while our education system is further fragmented and isolated under the guise of free market competition and profiteering being the solution to, rather than a contributing factor, the ongoing schools crisis.”
Mr Webb said that four Aurora Academies Trust schools in Sussex paid £100,000 in May 2014 to the organisation’s then parent company, Mosaica Education for a “patented curriculum” which featured in the national press at the time.
The curriculum was used until 2018 at City Academy Whitehawk, another Aurora-run school. Mosaica was sold to Pansophic Learning and Tatonka Capital Corporation in July 2015.
This article is factually incorrect. City Academy Whitehawk has an amazing curriculum that they have created themselves and is based on the National Curriculum. The school is outstanding in four of five areas and is doing an amazing job. If this ‘journalist’ can’t get that right you out need to question the rest!
Your claim appears to be incorrect. The Paragon curriculum is an accelerated learning program that replaces traditional social studies, history, geography, and civics curriculum at the primary and secondary school levels. It integrates the Visual and Performing Arts and emphasizes pedagogies such as inquiry-based learning. Paragon was developed by Dr. Dawn Eidelman, one of the company’s co-founders.
Accuracy, please.
Whitehawk don’t teach the Paragon curriculum. I should know, my kids go there.
“As part of the Aurora Academies group, City Academy Whitehawk uses the Paragon Curriculum to develop children’s understanding of the world and human history.”
https://www.caw.brighton-hove.sch.uk/paragon-1/
“Here at CAW, we have used the freedom we have as an Academy to design a curriculum which is broad, balanced, rigorous and provides our children with the skills to become successful learners. Based upon the National Curriculum for England, our curriculum ensures that children benefit from English and Mathematics curriculum rich in aspiration, alongside our commitment to promoting Physical Education and participation in sports of all kinds. All learning opportunities are underpinned by our CAW qualities and a growth mind-set approach to develop resilience and perseverance within our children.
In May 2024, Ofsted commented, ‘The school’s carefully sequenced and rigorous curriculum is highly effective. Staff prepare children for the next stages of education, instilling the necessary language and communication skills through enriching activities and opportunities.'”
https://www.caw.brighton-hove.sch.uk/curriculum-1/
“Here at CAW, we have used the freedom we have as an Academy to design a curriculum which is broad, balanced, rigorous and provides our children with the skills to become successful learners. Based upon the National Curriculum for England, our curriculum ensures that children benefit from English and Mathematics curriculum rich in aspiration, alongside our commitment to promoting Physical Education and participation in sports of all kinds. All learning opportunities are underpinned by our CAW qualities and a growth mind-set approach to develop resilience and perseverance within our children.
In May 2024, Ofsted commented, ‘The school’s carefully sequenced and rigorous curriculum is highly effective. Staff prepare children for the next stages of education, instilling the necessary language and communication skills through enriching activities and opportunities.'”
https://www.caw.brighton-hove.sch.uk/curriculum-1/
“Pansophic has no involvement in the day-to-day operations of Aurora Academies Trust.”
Pansophic employees are on the board of Aurora Academy trustees who are legally responsible for the day to day running of the Aurora Academies Trust and schools!
My concern when I read a statement such as that is the evident incuriosity and naivety of the incumbant school governors.
The role of trustees is strategic, not operational. The day to day running of schools is delegated to executive leaders. Trustees would be overstepping their role if they were involved operationally. Not sure why that statement should be a concern?
“we can’t trust a business” – what is the council if it is not a business ? We pay for and expect services via taxation and other fees. Without us there would be no need for a council.
Both the academy and the council are not for profits. I fail to see the difference.