Education: Academy Chains

Baroness Perry of Southwark Excerpts

Wednesday 15th January 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

My Lords, it is absolutely clear that both trustees and directors of these companies must declare their interests in the accounts.

[Baroness Perry of Southwark (Con)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that the most important form of accountability is the accountability of the school to its pupils, and their parents, to raise the standards of achievement? The huge success that my noble friend has already described is surely evidence of the success of the accountability that has left academies accountable to their pupils to raise standards.

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with my noble friend. The sixth largest economy in the world cannot tolerate a system whereby our schools are rated in the 20s for developed countries. That is what our reform programme is all about improving.