Industry News
Private schools 'should create city academies'
Posted on 17th September 2007
Schools minister Lord Adonis is to encourage headteachers of public schools to create and manage state schools in deprived areas, it has been claimed.
He will address headteachers of independent schools next month and will describe his plans as a way in which schools can go back to their charitable organisation roots, the Sunday Times has reported.
It writes that Lord Adonis wants private schools to bring their "successful management" abilities into the state sector.
"For many of them it brings them back to their roots as it enables them to get into deprived communities and not simply to serve the more affluent," he told the newspaper.
Lord Adonis claims more than a dozen independent schools are already considering plans to develop their own city academies.
The Charity Commission recently called for independent schools to do more to justify their status and tax relief.
Dame Suzi Leather, head of the commission, told the Times independent schools should be able to clearly demonstrate a commitment to public benefit to secure the perks of charitable status.