Subject: Maintaining quality education for all

Date of meeting: 30 January 2025

Proposer: Councillor McNair

Seconder: Councillor Meadows

Ward(s) affected: All

Notice of Motion

Conservative Group

This council notes:

1) The rise in international league tables e.g. Pisa, of English education since the introduction of academies and free schools under previous Governments, with maths, for example, improving from 27^th in 2009 to 11^th in 2022[1].

2) The improvements in schools in Brighton & Hove which have become part of academy chains e.g. City Academy Whitehawk[2], Moulsecoomb Primary and PACA.

3) The high levels of debt the Local Authority has permitted some schools to incur endangering the council’s ability to provide quality education.

4) The opportunity academy chains bring to Brighton & Hove not only in the quality of education they provide, the freedom of choice they give to parents, and the savings they would bring to this council struggling with its own finances.

Therefore, resolves to:

1) Request that the Administration prioritise, children receiving the best education possible either within the Local Authority or as part of an academy chain or free school.

2) Request the Administration acknowledge the importance of schools being able to enter into discussions with academy chains without undue influence from the council to help ensure our children do continue to receive quality education and parents do have choice.

3) Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education outlining the importance of maintaining the freedoms and quality of education delivered by academy chains and free schools.

Supporting Information:

England among highest performing western countries in education - GOV.UK

City Academy Whitehawk - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted