Questions raised about Winterbourne International Academy

Last week a representative of the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) for the South West, who plays a key role in re-brokering academies, attended a meeting of South Glos Council's Children, Adult and Housing Committee. Local councillor Claire Young took the opportunity to ask questions about Winterbourne International Academy (WIA).

Claire raised the concerns of parents, staff and most importantly the pupils caused by the ongoing uncertainty about the future management. She was told that they are waiting to see this summer's exam results. The RSC wants to be sure that Olympus Academy Trust (OAT) and Castle School Education Trust (CSET) have the capacity to provide the support WIA needs without undermining their existing schools. WIA has complex financial liabilities, so it's important too that OAT and CSET have the time to carry out proper due diligence.

Claire also expressed concern about a report in the Bristol Post making allegations about how large payouts were made. Unfortunately there was no response to her questions about what investigations will be made into the situation at Winterbourne or more generally what will be done to prevent people moving on and repeating the errors at other schools.