New Schools Network
Encyclopedia
The New Schools Network is a United Kingdom
-registered charity
which advises groups of parents or other groups who wish to set up new state-funded, independent schools
inspired by similar models in Sweden
in the United States. Such schools can be established in England
under the Academies Act 2010.
In September 2010, 16 free schools
were chosen to go forward for opening in 2011.
and Michael Gove
, who is now Secretary of State
at the Department for Education
. Wolf started the group after visiting New York City
whilst working for Gove and observing the city's charter schools, such as the Knowledge Is Power Program and the New York City Charter School Center, who advise new schools in the city. Wolf's mother is Alison Wolf
, a professor of public policy
at King's College London
, who was tasked by the Department for Education in September 2010 with a review of vocational education
. Her father is Martin Wolf
, a journalist for the Financial Times
.
The group's list of trustees include Bruce Liddington, Amanda Spielman and Barbara Harrison, all of whom have sponsored or been involved in the running of academy schools in the past. The group's website lists Professor Julian Le Grand
as an adviser. The group has carried out research into free schools and in March 2010 co-published a paper entitled Blocking the Best: Obstacles to new, independent state schools with think-tank Policy Exchange
. In their role giving support to parents wishing to instigate new schools, the group advised the journalist Toby Young
in his project to set up the new West London Free School in Ealing
.
After the election of the coalition government
in May 2010, the Department for Education
awarded the group £500,000 to advise on behalf of the department groups setting up new schools. The award and the group's connection with the Conservative Party
was criticised as an example of cronyism
. The group was also accused of "lacking in transparency" since it refuses to disclose its funding sources although Wolf has said the organisation is not funded by any profit-making schools companies.
In the autumn of 2010, Education Secretary Michael Gove
announced plans for 16 free schools
which are expected to open in September 2011.
In September 2010, MP Lisa Nandy
lodged a formal complaint with the Charity Commission
over concerns about the impartiality of the New Schools Network. Schools Minister Nick Gibb
responded to questions over the tendering of the contract saying "The formal grant agreement between the Department and NSN has not yet been finalised but it will include appropriate clauses on conflicts of interest and clear reporting requirements. There was no contract let for advice to potential Free School providers and therefore there were no tenders from other companies." The Charity Commission ruled in November 2010 that the charity had not acted inappropriately and consequently closed the investigation, although it did write to its trustees reminding them of their responsibility to remain politically impartial.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
which advises groups of parents or other groups who wish to set up new state-funded, independent schools
Free school (England)
A Free school is a school in England funded by the taxpayer, non-selective and free to attend but not controlled by local authorities. The concept of free schools is based upon a similar model found in Sweden as well as US charter schools....
inspired by similar models in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
in the United States. Such schools can be established in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
under the Academies Act 2010.
In September 2010, 16 free schools
Free school (England)
A Free school is a school in England funded by the taxpayer, non-selective and free to attend but not controlled by local authorities. The concept of free schools is based upon a similar model found in Sweden as well as US charter schools....
were chosen to go forward for opening in 2011.
Background
The group was set up in 2009 by Rachel Wolf, a former adviser to Boris JohnsonBoris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
and Michael Gove
Michael Gove
Michael Andrew Gove, MP is a British politician, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Education and as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the Surrey Heath constituency. He is also a published author and former journalist.Born in Edinburgh, Gove was raised in Aberdeen...
, who is now Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
at the Department for Education
Department for Education
The Department for Education is a department of the UK government responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education....
. Wolf started the group after visiting New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
whilst working for Gove and observing the city's charter schools, such as the Knowledge Is Power Program and the New York City Charter School Center, who advise new schools in the city. Wolf's mother is Alison Wolf
Alison Wolf
Alison Wolf is a British economist. She is Director of Public Services Policy and Management at King's College, London where she holds the Sir Roy Griffiths chair....
, a professor of public policy
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
, who was tasked by the Department for Education in September 2010 with a review of vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
. Her father is Martin Wolf
Martin Wolf
Martin Wolf, CBE is a British journalist, widely considered to be one of the world's most influential writers on economics. He is associate editor and chief economics commentator at the Financial Times.-Early life:...
, a journalist for the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
.
The group's list of trustees include Bruce Liddington, Amanda Spielman and Barbara Harrison, all of whom have sponsored or been involved in the running of academy schools in the past. The group's website lists Professor Julian Le Grand
Julian Le Grand
Julian Le Grand is Richard Titmuss Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and was a senior policy advisor to former Prime Minister Tony Blair....
as an adviser. The group has carried out research into free schools and in March 2010 co-published a paper entitled Blocking the Best: Obstacles to new, independent state schools with think-tank Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange is a British conservative think tank based in London. The Daily Telegraph has described it as "the largest, but also the most influential think tank on the right"...
. In their role giving support to parents wishing to instigate new schools, the group advised the journalist Toby Young
Toby Young
Toby Young, MA, FRSA is a British journalist and the author of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, the tale of his stint in New York as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair magazine...
in his project to set up the new West London Free School in Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
.
After the election of the coalition government
United Kingdom coalition government (2010–present)
The ConservativeLiberal Democrat coalition is the present Government of the United Kingdom, formed after the 2010 general election. The Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats entered into discussions which culminated in the 2010 coalition agreement, setting out a programme for government...
in May 2010, the Department for Education
Department for Education
The Department for Education is a department of the UK government responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education....
awarded the group £500,000 to advise on behalf of the department groups setting up new schools. The award and the group's connection with the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
was criticised as an example of cronyism
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
. The group was also accused of "lacking in transparency" since it refuses to disclose its funding sources although Wolf has said the organisation is not funded by any profit-making schools companies.
In the autumn of 2010, Education Secretary Michael Gove
Michael Gove
Michael Andrew Gove, MP is a British politician, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Education and as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the Surrey Heath constituency. He is also a published author and former journalist.Born in Edinburgh, Gove was raised in Aberdeen...
announced plans for 16 free schools
Free school (England)
A Free school is a school in England funded by the taxpayer, non-selective and free to attend but not controlled by local authorities. The concept of free schools is based upon a similar model found in Sweden as well as US charter schools....
which are expected to open in September 2011.
In September 2010, MP Lisa Nandy
Lisa Nandy
Lisa Eva Nandy is a British Labour Party politician. She has been the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Wigan in Greater Manchester, since the 2010 general election and is one of six Asian female MPs in the country....
lodged a formal complaint with the Charity Commission
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission for England and Wales is the non-ministerial government department that regulates registered charities in England and Wales....
over concerns about the impartiality of the New Schools Network. Schools Minister Nick Gibb
Nick Gibb
Nicolas John "Nick" Gibb is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton...
responded to questions over the tendering of the contract saying "The formal grant agreement between the Department and NSN has not yet been finalised but it will include appropriate clauses on conflicts of interest and clear reporting requirements. There was no contract let for advice to potential Free School providers and therefore there were no tenders from other companies." The Charity Commission ruled in November 2010 that the charity had not acted inappropriately and consequently closed the investigation, although it did write to its trustees reminding them of their responsibility to remain politically impartial.