'Anxiety' as trust continues into new school year
BBCParents and former pupils at schools run by a controversial multi-academy trust have raised concerns it is still in place as the new school year begins.
In July the Athena Learning Trust, which runs nine schools across Devon and Cornwall, announced it would dissolve and transfer its schools to other organisations.
It came after parents complained about the trust's strict disciplinary measures which they said had a detrimental impact on pupils' education and mental health.
The trust said the transfer processes were under way in partnership with the Department for Education and that "feedback" had informed changes that would be in place from September.
Athena Learning Trust runs three secondary schools and three primary schools in Cornwall and three secondary schools in Devon.
At Launceston College three students who have just collected their A-level results and are heading to Oxbridge wrote an open letter to the school and the Athena Learning Trust.
Stamatis Mavroudi-Tayler, Bere Wendriner and Archie Gough said their school had changed over four years and "the goals pursued by the college and the trust have substantially diverged from the interests of pupils, parents/carers, staff and the wider community".
The trio wrote: "The trust has announced that it will dissolve... we believe that this does not guarantee any material change for the College community... a fundamental change in culture and approach is necessary."
They argued for the college to drop zero-tolerance policies and a sanction to every breach of a rule "regardless of how serious it was or the history and needs of the pupil".
Mark Blackman, interim leader at Athena Learning Trust, answered with a letter detailing how since the end of May "there has been considerable work...reviewing in-class strategy and the wider use of behaviour approaches... across the Trust we have seen significant changes in the need for sanctions and the use of these has fallen. "
'Complex situation'
Cornwall councillor James Ball said there had been conversations going on through the summer about Camborne Science and International Academy - but some parents he was speaking to had "anxiety" as the new school year starts with the Athena Learning Trust still in place.
"I think some parents thought that we might have been able to move more quickly, but unfortunately it's such a complex situation and we're waiting for the Department for Education to appoint the new trust," he said.
"It will take some time, so we're looking about 12 to 18 months before a new trust will be appointed."
Athena Learning Trust schools
Cornwall:
- Altarnun Primary School
- Egloskerry Primary School
- Launceston Primary School
- Camborne Science and International Academy
- Launceston College
- Pool Academy
Devon:
- Atlantic Academy
- Bideford College
- The Ilfracombe Academy
'Hoping for engagement'
The BBC has spoken to a parent of a former and a current pupil at the Nexus campus of Camborne Science and International Academy, which is for gifted and talented students and has a focus on STEM subjects.
He said while there had been less concern about discipline at the campus, "there was a harshness... and an increase in anxiety amongst a lot of the Nexus students."
He and other parents from some of the schools had organised a parent advocacy group asking headteachers and senior leadership teams "specifically what changes are being made come September as part of the re-brokering process."
"We'd also like to bring insights into the discussions as new trusts are appointed - we're hoping for engagement and a shift going forward," he added.
"The Athena methodology does not work for every kid so we need to fix what doesn't work when a new trust takes over."
A spokesperson for Athena Learning Trust said: "The process of identifying the right trusts for each of our schools is under way and is being explored in partnership with the Department for Education.
"At this stage, no final decisions have been made about the timing of individual transfers, so it would be premature to speculate on when they will take place.
"Until any transfers are formally completed, the trust remains fully responsible for the operation of its schools, including all preparations for the new academic year.
"That includes ensuring schools are ready to welcome students back, supporting staff and continuing to strengthen the experience of children and families."
The spokesperson also said the trust's schools were "committed to listening to the communities they serve" and feedback from students, parents and staff "has already informed a number of changes that will be in place in September".
The Department for Education said it was working closely with the trust as it considers options for future arrangements, ensuring stability, continuity and high quality education.