Government withdraws threat to take over Leicester's education system

The Government has withdrawn its threat to take control of Leicester's education system after agreeing the most radical transformation of city schools for a generation.

Two secondary schools – New College and Babington – will be run by charitable trusts with independent or private organisations having a say in their management.

Fullhurst College, the city's worst performing school, will also become a trust.

It will share an executive head teacher with Leicester's highest rated school, Rushey Mead, in an effort to raise standards.

It is expected these changes could be instigated as early as next April.

The Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, has agreed to the city council education officials' plans and it will come as a relief as they believe they are vital to improving Leicester's low results in GCSE exams.

Earlier this year, the Government said it wanted the three schools to become privately-sponsored academies and, although this was city council bosses' initial plan, they changed their minds.

They believe the three schools becoming trusts will allow them to remain under a certain amount of city council control and encourage them to help each other improve results rather than acting independently.

Although there is broad consensus among political groups within the city council, it is understood unions are less supportive.

The Government sent top education adviser Professor David Woods to Leicester to talk to head teachers, investigate the progress schools were making and look at the city council's plans.

Mr Balls said: "We are now confident these solutions and the National Challenge funding that goes with them, of up to £2.25m, will mean all pupils in Leicester have the chance to go to a good school that will raise their aspirations and enable them to succeed."

Mr Balls warned that Fullhurst could still be turned into an academy if a number of tests, including quality of teaching, are not met.

Fullhurst, in Braunstone, Babington, in Beaumont Leys, and New College, in New Parks, are all in the Government's so-called National Challenge category because of low GCSE results.

The fourth National Challenge school, Riverside, in Rowley Fields, is likely to shut.

Prof Woods also made recommendations to change the way the city council's education department works to improve its lowest performing schools.

Rachel Dickinson, Leicester's director of Children's Services, said: "We are delighted the Secretary of State has agreed our implementation plan.

"The schools will remain firmly with the family of local authority schools while also having a partner to drive forward improvement.

"The schools have already made good progress, but this will help them make a leap forward.

"We hope it will now happen as quickly as possible."

Councillor Vi Dempster, the city council's cabinet education spokeswoman said: "One of the benefits of National Challenge trusts is that it brings a range of partners together to support the school to improve and deliver better opportunities for our children and young people."