The decision follows discussions at a dinner hosted by Anthony Collins Solicitors where delegates received presentations from Frank Green, National Schools Commissioner, and Pank Patel, West Midlands Regional Schools Commissioner.
The event was attended by over 60 guests including the chief executive officers of a number of leading local multi-academy trusts and the Head of Education and Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People in Birmingham.
Simon Ramshaw, a partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “Three themes emerged from our dinner event at Hotel du Vin.
“We need to re-imagine what we mean by ‘school’ and mentally compare this to the transition from Stephenson’s Rocket to The Flying Scotsman, the bullet train and the jumbo jet.
“The economic situation can be turned to our advantage. Innovation thrives when times are tight.
“And the academy system must develop to become self-serving. Academies and MATs need to work together to find solutions to challenges as they emerge, rather than wait for the regulators to address them.”
He said the event heard that 40 per cent of children and 40 per cent of teaching staff are now in academies, so although the number of academies may seem small, the proportion of those working in and being educated by academies is larger than might be thought.
“The event was extremely successful and it was very helpful to hear the views of Frank Green and Pank Patel.
“We want to harness the energy generated at this event and the aim is now to set up a Midlands Forum for MATs.
“We hope that academies and MATs will see this as a positive initiative and drive it forward. Anthony Collins Solicitors will provide support and encouragement in any way we can.”
He added that other themes to come out of the evening included the idea of an annual awards dinner that would foster and support best practice and help the development of initiatives in the Midlands region.
From 6 April 2020, the practice direction that governs statements of truth for witness statements and statements of case is changing.
At Anthony Collins Solicitors, we realise it is a challenging time for churches who will be supporting members of their church and its community.
The Government has published Guidance for landlords undertaking right to rent checks during the Coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.
The Coronavirus Act does not change the need to comply with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) or the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) regime.
During the Coronavirus outbreak, the health and safety of employees and members of the public are paramount.
The Civil Courts have now released a list of their priorities for housing enforcement work.
Following a fortnight of announcements and proposed legislation regarding employment and furlough, here's our latest update.
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 will apply to all new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.
We've been producing ebriefings and advice about covid-19 where we can, and we've issued a lot this week. If you've missed any, we've compiled them here.
Late last night (26 March) the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) issued a guidance note regarding Court Service.
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