Academy trust lauded by Cameron in ‘serious breaches’ of guidelines
The Guardian | Kevin Rawlinson | 24 March 2016
Investigation into Perry Beeches academy trust finds serious concerns about financial management, control and governance
Government reports raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Perry Beeches academy trust and companies linked to some of its senior administrators. They also found problems with the number of pupils declared as eligible for free school meals.
The trust, which runs five schools – four of which are free schools, was told earlier this month that it would be required to run financial transactions by the government until it made sufficient improvements. The news comes soon after ministers announced that all schools were to become academies by 2022.
“Parents will be deeply worried that this government has completely failed to put in place the appropriate checks over academy chain funding decisions, prioritising converting schools into academies over school standards and the protection of public money,” said Labour’s shadow minister for schools, Nic Dakin.
