Inspiration Trust Explained

Inspiration Trust is a multi-academy trust of academies and free schools in East Anglia, England.The trust was founded by Theodore Agnew, Baron Agnew of Oulton as the East Norfolk Academy Trust in 2012, changing its name to the Inspiration Trust in 2013.[1] [2] Although technically a limited company, as a multi-academy trust the company is an exempt charity, principally regulated by the Department for Education.[3]

All the academies on the roster are in Norfolk, except East Point Academy, which is located in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Primary schools

Secondary schools

Sixth forms

Controversies

In 2014 an investigation took place into whether three of the Inspiration Trust's schools were given unauthorised advance notice of Ofsted inspections.[16] The main finding of the investigation was that there was no evidence the schools had received unauthorised prior warning.[17] There was a secondary finding that the trust's Chief Executive, Dame Rachel de Souza, had mistakenly seen a planned inspection date for one of the schools during her own training as an inspector; however, this date had been changed as a result.[17] There was further concern about Ofsted's judgements of one of the trust's schools in 2018.[18]

In 2015 a local Member of Parliament, Clive Lewis, questioned the Trust's fitness to run schools.[19]

In 2018 there was concern about Sir Theodore's continuing role in the trust given that he had become Academies Minister, although he was no longer "a person of significant control".[20] He resigned from the trust the same year.[21]

In the same year there was criticism of Dame Rachel de Souza's salary.[22]

In 2019 there was publicity about the amount the trust was deducting from schools' budgets to fund development of the curriculum.[23]

In summer 2020, de Souza took a high-profile decision to reopen her schools in mid August in response to the educational time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

“Every hour makes a difference! Particularly in schools with disadvantaged cohorts, that time in front of a teacher is critical.” (de Souza)
Some students have had no contact with the internet for six months, others will have been diligently following online lessons, de Souza explained. Students, starting with year 11s, will self isolate in year group bubbles, in school and on the school buses. They will have longer school days and be offered Saturday school with catch-up sessions.[24]

Notes and References

  1. News: Whittaker . Freddie . Who is Theodore Agnew? 7 facts about the new academies minister . 1 February 2019 . Schools Week . 28 September 2017.
  2. Web site: INSPIRATION TRUST - Overview (free company information from Companies House). beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. 18 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Regulation of schools and academies with exempt charity status - Publications - GOV.UK. gov.uk. 18 July 2016.
  4. Web site: Free schools: Three successful applications, and one failed bid - Education - Eastern Daily Press. Martin George. edp24.co.uk. 18 July 2016.
  5. Web site: EduBase - Cobholm Primary Academy. education.gov.uk. 18 July 2016.
  6. Web site: Inspiration Trust . Eastern Daily Press . 1 July 2013 . 1 July 2013 . George . Martin.
  7. Web site: City School to look at longer school day . Eastern Daily Press . 13 March 2013 . 13 March 2013.
  8. Web site: EduBase - Stradbroke Primary Academy. education.gov.uk. 18 July 2016.
  9. Web site: Cromer Academy says yes to joining Inspiration Trust . Eastern Daily Press . 23 May 2013 . 23 May 2013 . Hurrell . Alex.
  10. Web site: Warned Lowestoft academy set for takeover - News - Lowestoft Journal. Anthony Carroll. lowestoftjournal.co.uk. 18 July 2016.
  11. Web site: Hethersett High School to become an academy by November 1 . Eastern Daily Press . 4 July 2013 . 4 July 2013 . Wright . Lucy.
  12. Web site: EduBase - The Hewett Academy, Norwich. education.gov.uk. 18 July 2016.
  13. Web site: Full list of free schools approved for 2014 opening . The Guardian . 22 May 2013 . 16 August 2013 . Adams . Richard.
  14. Web site: New Sponsors hopes to change fortunes of Thetford Academy . Eastern Daily Press . 8 July 2013 . 8 July 2013 . Bristow . Tom.
  15. Web site: Hunt on for Principal to run new Norwich free school . www.edp24.co.uk . 8 October 2012 . 8 October 2012 . Leggett . Victoria.
  16. News: Norfolk schools tip-off claims: Ofsted to investigate . 1 February 2019 . BBC News . 20 August 2014.
  17. Web site: Wilshaw . Sir Michael . Investigation into allegations of inspection irregularities in three Norfolk schools . GOV.UK . Ofsted . 1 February 2019 . 23 September 2014.
  18. News: Staufenberg . Jess . Inspiration Trust earns softer Ofsted report after four-month turnaround . 1 February 2019 . Schools Week . 18 May 2018.
  19. News: George . Martin . MP questions Inspiration Trust’s Hewett role after claim Rachel de Souza was "sick" at school’s positive Ofsted report . 1 February 2019 . Norwich Evening News . 28 July 2015.
  20. News: George . Martin . Academies minister reduces his control of Inspiration Trust . 1 February 2019 . Schools Week . 26 April 2018.
  21. News: Whittaker . Freddie . Lord Agnew resigns as Inspiration Trust director . 1 February 2019 . Schools Week . 31 August 2018.
  22. News: Stott . Matt . Fresh concern over ‘fat cat’ academy boss pay . 1 February 2019 . East Anglian Daily Times . 24 February 2018.
  23. News: Dickens . John . Inspiration Trust hikes top-slice from school budgets to cover curriculum team costs . 1 February 2019 . Schools Week . 3 January 2019.
  24. Web site: Hinsliff . Gaby . For parents and teachers, sending children back to school will be a leap of faith Gaby Hinsliff . The Guardian . 14 August 2020 . en . 13 August 2020.

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