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Al-Madinah free school gets new education trust | Al-Madinah free school gets new education trust |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A new education trust is to be brought in to run the troubled Al-Madinah free school in Derby, Education Minister Lord Nash has confirmed. | A new education trust is to be brought in to run the troubled Al-Madinah free school in Derby, Education Minister Lord Nash has confirmed. |
It follows a highly critical Ofsted report and a letter from the minister outlining 17 areas of improvement to be addressed by the school. | It follows a highly critical Ofsted report and a letter from the minister outlining 17 areas of improvement to be addressed by the school. |
The school was described as "dysfunctional" and rated inadequate. | The school was described as "dysfunctional" and rated inadequate. |
The current trustees have agreed to resign along with the chair of governors, Shazia Parveen. | The current trustees have agreed to resign along with the chair of governors, Shazia Parveen. |
The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, which runs several academy schools across the East Midlands, has been asked to work with the school. | The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, which runs several academy schools across the East Midlands, has been asked to work with the school. |
'Swift resolution' | 'Swift resolution' |
In a letter to the outgoing chair of governors Lord Nash said: "I am not satisfied that you have demonstrated a strong basis for the transformation required at the school. | In a letter to the outgoing chair of governors Lord Nash said: "I am not satisfied that you have demonstrated a strong basis for the transformation required at the school. |
"I cannot tolerate any child experiencing a poor quality of education in any state funded school and am therefore determined to ensure there is a swift resolution. | "I cannot tolerate any child experiencing a poor quality of education in any state funded school and am therefore determined to ensure there is a swift resolution. |
"I have decided that the needs of the pupils at Al-Madinah school would be best served by bringing in a more experienced trust with the skills and capability required to deliver the improvements needed. | "I have decided that the needs of the pupils at Al-Madinah school would be best served by bringing in a more experienced trust with the skills and capability required to deliver the improvements needed. |
"The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust has a track record of providing high quality education to children from a Muslim background and I have no doubt they will apply this expertise at Al-Madinah." | "The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust has a track record of providing high quality education to children from a Muslim background and I have no doubt they will apply this expertise at Al-Madinah." |
Ms Parveen issued a statement in response to Lord Nash's letter, in which she said: "The trust will ensure that the transition of Al-Madinah is smooth and the ethos of the faith designated school remains secure. | Ms Parveen issued a statement in response to Lord Nash's letter, in which she said: "The trust will ensure that the transition of Al-Madinah is smooth and the ethos of the faith designated school remains secure. |
"We acknowledge the positive input to allow or children to progress and have an academic success and a positive future. | "We acknowledge the positive input to allow or children to progress and have an academic success and a positive future. |
"We also would like to make a request to all media to allow us to continue our vision to educate and inspire." | "We also would like to make a request to all media to allow us to continue our vision to educate and inspire." |
Earlier, a statement on the school's website said the governors would not be stepping down and would work with the Department for Education (DfE) over the future of the school. | Earlier, a statement on the school's website said the governors would not be stepping down and would work with the Department for Education (DfE) over the future of the school. |
The message read: "Just to re-assure parents regarding the rumours circulating... about governors resigning. | The message read: "Just to re-assure parents regarding the rumours circulating... about governors resigning. |
"This is not the case and we would urge parents to talk to the PTA [parent-teacher association] and the governors if they are concerned. | "This is not the case and we would urge parents to talk to the PTA [parent-teacher association] and the governors if they are concerned. |
"We are working with the DfE to ensure that our pupils future and the future of our school is secure." | "We are working with the DfE to ensure that our pupils future and the future of our school is secure." |
On Friday, a DfE investigation into the school's finances was also published. | |
The report highlighted the school could not demonstrate that it was maintaining proper accounting records as required by the Companies Act. | |
It also identified irregular payments of £19,188.85 which included duplicated payments to a supplier. | |
There were also concerns in the report that there were too few governors at the school which resulted in decisions being made by just two members of the board. | |
Lord Nash had written to the Al-Madinah Education Trust on 8 October "placing 17 requirements, which they must satisfy or risk their funding agreement being terminated". | Lord Nash had written to the Al-Madinah Education Trust on 8 October "placing 17 requirements, which they must satisfy or risk their funding agreement being terminated". |
The school's trustees were told to provide a plan by 1 November to show how fit they were to run the school and how it would improve. | The school's trustees were told to provide a plan by 1 November to show how fit they were to run the school and how it would improve. |