Last week I was invited to take part in the All-Party Group for Education debate – ‘The changing schools landscape: what can maintained schools, free schools and academies learn from one another?’ It looked like a great opportunity to identify ways in which educationalists could co-operate and exchange expertise, but sadly it turned into an argument between those who want to give comprehensive education more time to succeed and those who run free schools.

The battle between 'comprehensive' and 'free' education continues. . .

Fiona Millar, co-founder (with Melissa Benn and others) of the Local Schools Network, led the attack on free schools, and Adam Dawson, co-founder of the Etz Jewish Primary Free School, responded. Fiona presented the usual arguments questioning the balance of intake into free schools, what she sees as a secretive process of application and lack of accountability.  She wants to see a middle tier, and perhaps a move back towards School Boards, as advocated by Melissa Benn in her recent book ‘School Wars’. Adam Dawson responded, saying that application is a carefully structured process laid down by Government, that free schools have to adhere to the admissions process, and that they are responding to demand for more school places.

Sadly, free schools are political. There are real concerns on the part of those who think that market forces are detrimental, and would prefer some form of control and see free schools as a threat. But there are indications that free schools are raising the game and prompting improvements in areas where they are being established. 

In our region alone, innovative new free schools have started, like the Norwich Free School, which is open 51 weeks of the year with PE facilities provided by Norwich City Football Club. There are also dynamic new schools that have approval to open in Saxmundham and Beccles in 2012, with the aim of raising standards in an area of low aspirations and mediocre academic outcomes.  The free school debate has turned into a battle, but there is an element of detractors protesting too much. However, there is evidence of a groundswell of support for free schools on the part of parents, teachers and pupils. One London free school Head tells me that 5,000 people came to his open day last month, and that he has 400 applications for every teaching post advertised.

The new market in education is here to stay and it looks as if there is no going back. There is certainly much debate, but as Lady Howe said on Wednesday, these are exciting times, and she is much encouraged by the greater involvement by parents, teachers and pupils.

For more information on how mtmconsulting can help your free school, contact us. 

Related posts:

1. An Oscar for Andrew – Dick Davison attends the Independent School Awards
2. mtm/vwv Autumn Conference Report 2011 – Practical Strategies for a New Education Market
3. “State school pupils ‘do better at university’”? Independents shouldn’t panic!

Hold the date! Our annual practical strategies conference in partnership with Veale Wasborough Vizards will be held on Tuesday 18th September 2012. More details to come…

Please contact Barbara Badrick to provisionally book your place.

Related posts:

1. mtm/vwv Autumn Conference Report 2011 – Practical Strategies for a New Education Market
2. The 2009 mtmconsulting / Veale Wasbrough Conference: Practical Strategies for Challenging Times
3. Headlines from mtm’s Practical Strategies Annual Conference,

You can read a summary of Sir Ewan Harper’s remarkable account of how the United Learning Trust was transformed from a small and struggling independent school group into a thriving organisation, with more than double the pupil numbers, and went on to become the nation’s biggest sponsor of Academies.

Other topics covered include the opportunities and pitfalls of extending your school age range, a summary of the mtmconsulting UK Education Sector Report 2012 – 2020: Forecasts, Challenges and Opportunities and Tom Packer’s account of his white knuckle ride through the process of opening the West London Free School.

Alternatively, download the full report here.

Date for your diary – the 2012 Practical Strategies Conference will be held on 18 September, once again at the Institute of Directors, London, W1.

Related posts:

1. The 2009 mtmconsulting / Veale Wasbrough Conference: Practical Strategies for Challenging Times
2. mtm/vwv Annual Practical Strategies Conference 2012
3. Headlines from mtm’s Practical Strategies Annual Conference,

The Proprietorial Schools’ Forum has proved highly popular since its inception in September 2008. The Forum was established in response to the demand for an event at which private owners of schools could meet to discuss exclusively the issues which concern them. The 2011-12 programme has been put together with the same two aims that have always underpinned the Forum: to offer stimulating presentations on relevant topics and to respond to feedback from previous events.

March’s event investigates the importance of accessibility to your school, focusing on how to set up and run your own bus service, and a guide to formulating a successful marketing strategy.

Programme

09.30        Coffee & registration

09.45        Insight into buses - Linda Howard, Senior Associate at Minnerva Transport Consultancy

Accessibility is key in pupil recruitment.  Linda will talk about current legislation and provide practical tops on how to manage school transport.

10.35        Coffee Break

10.55        Formulating a marketing strategy

Our guide for your school, presented by Melanie Tucker, founder and Principal at mtmconsulting

11.40        All you ever wanted to know about selling your school – Peers Carter, school proprietor and founder-partner of the School Transfer Company

Peers draws some lessons from more than 25 years of bringing together buyers and sellers of schools.

12.00        Proprietors’ discussion forum

12.45        Drinks, buffet lunch, networking

14.30        Close

The event will be held at our usual venue of The Cavalry and Guards Club, 127 Piccadilly, London W1. Please contact Barbara Badrick to book your place, or download the registration form.

Terms & Conditions

Hotel and travel costs are not included in the event fees. Substitutions may be allowed at any time, but please let us know.

All cancellations must be made in writing to office@mtmconsulting.co.uk  28 days before the event upon which we will refund to the value of 25% of the fee. Unfortunately any cancellation within less than 28 days before the event is non-refundable.

mtmconsulting reserves the right to alter the location or content of the event. Only one promotional code may be used per purchase.

mtmconsulting reserve the right to not accept orders and refuse right of entry to an event.  In such cases, the full amount paid (if any) will be refunded. Only one promotional code may be used per purchase.

Related posts:

1. Proprietorial Schools Forum dates announced
2. Proprietorial Schools Forum: September event
3. Proprietorial Schools Forum

With the economic climate still far from perfect and increased competition emerging from the state sector’s Acadamies and Free Schools, it is more important than ever for you to up-skill your research and marketing strategy to support development of your school.

mtmconsulting’s Practical Research and Marketing Intelligence Seminar will provide you with the latest sector intelligence and examples of the best marketing strategies and campaigns to help enable you maximise your budget and stand out from the crowd.

The programme includes:

•  UK Independent Education Market: Forecasts, Challenges and Opportunities, 2012-2020

Highlights from mtmconsulting’s latest report on market developments in the UK education sector.

*Pupil and financial trends
* The impact of Academies, Free-schools and the shake- up of the state sector
*What does this mean for your school?

•  Re-branding Your School
•  Getting the best out of Independent School Guides and Websites.

 The inside track on the Good School’s Guide, Tatler etc. How they operate and the pitfalls to avoid.

•  The Winning Formula. What work’s, what doesn’t and the secret of success

Price £150 inc vat per person. Price includes lunch.
Location: The Cavalry Club. 127 Piccadilly, London W1

For programme of the day’s events, please click here.

To book your place on this vital course either download the registration form, contact Barbara Badrick on 0843 308 7548 or email bbadrick@mtmconsulting.co.uk.

Terms & Conditions

Hotel and travel costs are not included in the event fees. Substitutions may be allowed at any time, but please let us know.

All cancellations must be made in writing to office@mtmconsulting.co.uk  28 days before the event upon which we will refund to the value of 25% of the fee. Unfortunately any cancellation within less than 28 days before the event is non-refundable.

mtmconsulting reserves the right to alter the location or content of the event. Only one promotional code may be used per purchase.

mtmconsulting reserve the right to not accept orders and refuse right of entry to an event.  In such cases, the full amount paid (if any) will be refunded. Only one promotional code may be used per purchase.

Related posts:

1. The Proprietorial Schools’ Forum – Spring Forum
2. mtm/vwv Autumn Conference Report 2011 – Practical Strategies for a New Education Market
3. The 2009 mtmconsulting / Veale Wasbrough Conference: Practical Strategies for Challenging Times