Calls for More Co-op Schools

So far 15 co-op trusts, involving 25 schools, are up and running and Ed Balls said today that he hopes to see more than 200 schools embracing the approach over the next year.

The co-op model means local communities can come together to give input, help govern and have direct power over the running of their local schools.

Launching the West Oldham Co-operative Trust on a visit to Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport, Ed Balls, said: “Our pilot of 100 co-operative governance trust schools is going from strength to strength. Some 15 co-operative trusts - involving over 25 schools - are already up and running and the Co-operative College is working with a further 60 lead schools. This means that, along with their partner schools, a further 120 schools are now exploring the co-operative governance model.

“It is fantastic to see more schools working together with parents and communities actively involved, and the co-operative model has proved to be an ideal way to do this. But I want to see more co-operative schools and I believe we can now expand the number of co-operative trusts, either up and running or at an advanced stage, to more than 200 over the coming year. This is about putting power in the hands of those who are directly engaged with local schools and who know best what is needed in their area.

“We will also look at helping co-operative schools to set up a network so they can work together to share ideas and learning. This shows our continued support of the co-operative model which empowers local communities to have direct control over education in their area and I urge other schools to look to this style of governance to put power in the hands of the people they serve.”

Mervyn Wilson, Principal of the Co-operative College, added: “We are delighted that so many schools have seen the advantages of the co-operative trust model. Schools know the importance of building community engagement to help transform expectations and achievement and they see co-operative trust membership as an innovative way of securing it.

"We are confident that the number of co-operative trusts will grow rapidly in the coming year – together with a strong network of co-operative schools.”

Last year the Department for Children, Schools and Families made funding available for a pilot of up to 100 Trust schools with co-operative governance models over the next two years.
Schools that join the Trust Schools Programme are currently eligible to receive up to £10,000 from the government to support the costs of setting up a Trust. Those wishing to adopt the co-operative model are able to recoup an extra £5,000 to fund training and consultancy services to assist in developing this innovative model.