Star comment: Council must put schools on track
Council leaders in Shropshire who are planning to shake-up Shropshire’s education system are making a smart move. As the system gradually changes, they are making a pre-emptive strike and heading potential trouble off at the pass.
Council-run schools are troubled that they may get left behind by academies and so Shropshire Council is doing its level best to make sure they keep up.
Their plans to provide additional support is presently in draft form but it seems to be a sensible enough idea.
An idea to make sure schools do not become disconnected or disadvantaged can only be to the advantage of local pupils. It will make sure schools do not get left behind in the rush to achieve Academy status while providing them with the benefit of many years’ collective experience from the local council.
There are many benefits to the Academies model, but also dangers. Independence can encourage innovation and excellence but they are difficult to run and can go wrong, both financially and in terms of providing the right education for our children.
It is therefore essential that the council makes sure schools remain on track and neither get left behind nor make the wrong move.
