Schools: Academies

Lord Naseby Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd March 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

The noble Lord is right that this is a difficult issue and it is one that we have been looking at. I assure him that we will continue to look at it.

[Lord Naseby (Con)]

Is it not enormously sensible for the governors of our academies to hold reserves at the end of a Parliament, when they have no idea what the policy may be in the future? We also have low inflation at this time, and I imagine that a fair number of them are preparing for capital works based on their reserves.

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with my noble friend, who makes the point admirably.

Ofsted: Academy Chains

Lord Naseby Excerpts

Monday 26th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

The Secretary of State’s letter in relation to chains talks about it not being necessary to introduce a new inspection framework. There is a clear framework for inspecting all schools in this country.

[Lord Naseby (Con)]

Is my noble friend aware that he is surely right? Local authority inspections are one thing but, in addition, there are a whole host of charitable foundations that have Ofsted inspections—but that is, again, in a different framework.