Thursday, January 27, 2011

16-19 academies: free schools meet sixth form colleges

The Education Bill published today makes provision for 16-19 academies. Until now many academies offered courses for 16-19 year olds. But this is more radical. It is a development of the free schools policy.

I am not sure how many people were listening last week when the media was full of Alan Johnson, Ed Balls and Andy Coulson but David Cameron gave a speech on Modern Public Services. It included this:

For the first time, charities, universities, businesses, teachers and groups of parents will be allowed to establish their own academies where there is a lack of suitable education for 16-19 year olds.

Based on the same principles that underpin our Free School programme, this will widen the range of options available to young people and encouraging them to continue in education beyond their GCSEs.

Incumbents in the 16-19 market had better be aware of this new challenge.

No comments: