According to DFE (Department of Education) 1 in 10 schools is now, or in the process of becoming an Academy.
So may say this figure flatters the coalition’s flagship education policy, nonetheless over the life of this parliament schools will become major players in the areas of commissioning and procurement.
The case for the devolution of budgets to schools can seem a simple one:
More control = More freedom / More freedom = More choice / More Choice = Better Value.
But will it deliver the benefits claimed by the coalition, the government thinks it will and has posted numerous case studies on its website.
The real question is ‘do schools have the skills and experience to commission effective services?’, do we know what an effective service is and if so where do we find them.
The role of the private and voluntary sector will become key to the success or failure of this policy as funding arrangements and budgets for the next 12 months become clearer.
There will be deep cuts at most local authorities, Hampshire alone have announced 1200 redundancies over the next 12 months and in Norfolk 1000 staff will be axed.
The question for schools to put to the local authority is not just ‘how much money will we get if we leave you?’ but also ‘are you a viable delivery partner?’
With the severity of cuts still not fully known local authorities will not be able to offer the range of training and services schools have experienced in the past.
Schools looking for the best value will be free to contract providers outside of the traditional stronghold of local government.
It is the experience of many who have commissioned services that the private and voluntary sector can often deliver better projects with better outcomes for less money.
As support vanishes, schools will need to look for better value workforce development and training for all their staff, from mid-day meal supervisors (an often untapped resource) to teachers.
As many voluntary sector agencies funding ends in March 2011 we may see an eradication of traditional specialist roles that support schools e.g. drug and alcohol support workers / emotional well-being support staff.
The need to commission effective training for school support staff, quite often working with our most vulnerable children, will become key to the development of nurturing and supportive schools.
On a positive note evidence and support exists to support schools when commissioning services, a commissioning guide produced as part of the TaMHS (targeted mental health in schools) programme can be found here.
Schools will also find themselves needing the expertise of specalist training companies as support from local authorites reduces.
So in summary a challenging time for schools but one which schools will do what they have always done, secure the best deal possible for that most important commodity, the children.
