Dear Messenger,
The saga of Parkwood High's proposed sponsor drags on. As a result of the recent DCSF inquiry, their Chairman Lord Bhatia has been forced to stand down. His removal casts doubt on whether a partnership with this sponsor is in the best interests of the school.
The inquiry found that Edutrust
failed to comply with financial management arrangements
had inappropriate governance arrangements
highlighted significant concerns over the governance of the trust
failed to address conflicts of interest
had poor record keeping
paid for items not ‘properly chargeable’ to it
paid for items which were ‘excessivelycharged’
Is this really the sort of sponsor parents would want directly influencing their children's education? I think not. Is Edutrust to be trusted? The answer is ‘No’. Short of the ‘bribe’ of a new school building sometime in the future, the proposal really has very little to offer and parents who had previously voted ‘yes’ may now be reconsidering their decision.
Mick Ibbotson, Parkwood Parent