Academies increase the pay divide
In case anyone was left wondering what the incentive was for supposed ‘charities’ seeking to take over and run our schools, the answer appears to be becoming increasingly clear. The government’s Academies scheme, which allows state-funded schools to opt out of local government control, and then sell themselves to a private sponsor that then gets automatic control of the school’s governing body, has been in the headlines recently for the high pay of those running the ‘charities’ that take over the schools. At the same time, academies are sacking teachers, presumably to help pay for the inflated salaries at the top.
As the Guardian reports, ‘Charities that run chains of academy schools are using public funds to pay senior staff six-figure salaries, with some on £240,000 or more.’ This includes an annual reward package of £280,ooo for Bruce Liddington, director general of E-Act, which runs 14 schools. Also, 3 members of senior management at Ark Schools earned c. £145,000 – apparently explaining their hyper-enthusiasm for converting other state-funded schools into Ark Schools.
It would also appear that one of the main ways in which these inflated salaries are afforded is through dismissals at the lower end of the payscale. 13 teachers have been told they are to be sacked at Mediacity academy in Manchester – although fortunately they seem to be putting up a fight, with NUT members voting to go on strike in response.
More details here on the Anti-Academies Alliance.
