United Learning

Jul 1, 2022

The Government has named a multi-academy trust it wants an academy school to join, after it was issued a termination warning notice after Ofsted downgraded it from “outstanding” to “inadequate”. Regional schools commissioner for north-west London and south-central region, Dame Kate Dethridge, issued the termination warning notice to Holland Park School in Kensington, west London, on June 10. The notice came after the academy was downgraded by Ofsted last month, falling from the highest to lowest of the education inspectorate’s four possible ratings. On Friday July 1, the Department for Education said it wants United Learning, a multi-academy trust, to partner the school. A spokesperson said: “Holland Park Academy’s recent Ofsted inspection underlines the need to address the issues at the school and make sure similar failings do not recur. “Today, United Learning has been identified as the preferred trust for HPS to join, as a strong trust with a proven track record of school improvement. “The wellbeing and education of the school’s pupils will continue to be the first priority and parents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to express their views.” The other shortlisted options to partner the school where Harris Academy, a multi-academy trust, and Kensington Aldridge Academy (KAA), a single-academy trust co-sponsored by the Kensington and Chelsea council, according to the local authority. The recommended United Learning partnering will be scrutinised at an advisory board of education experts, on July 21. A final recommendation will then be made to Baroness Barran, the minister for the school system, who will take the ultimate decision. But the council is considering making a £1million loan to KAA to show it has the resources to form a multi-academy trust with Holland Park School. A document signed off by the borough’s executive director of children’s services Sarah Newman, dated July 6, states: “This report recommends that the leadership team agree, in principle, to a loan of up to £1 million over there years to Kensington Aldridge Academy (KAA) to support the necessary resourcing of the establishment of a local multi-academy trust between Holland Park School and (KAA).” It claims “approximately 400 parents have collectively sought to challenge” the possible United Learning takeover, since the board of governors announced it was their “preferred” multi-academy trust partner in March. Jennifer Oukherfalla, 42, who lives Kensington and Chelsea, has a daughter in Year 8 at the school and her son is starting in September. She said: “We have just received the disappointing news that our school community will continue to be ignored. “While we knew this would most likely be the outcome, that United Learning (a trust with 80+ schools and counting) would be recommend by the RSC, we did all we could to fight for the best option for our children, teachers and community; a partnership with KAA. “This close, local collaboration would have greatly benefited so many.” Ofsted found that “turbulence” in the school’s leadership had “destabilised” the school community, with many aspects of school life, including pupils’ behaviour, having “declined substantially” since its previous inspection seven years’ ago. In May, Holland Park School was found to have a “culture of fear and favouritism” in an investigation by its governors. The investigation found there was discrimination in the school against protected characteristics, including overt sexism, Islamophobia, and racism. Holland Park School, United Learning, Kensington and Chelsea Council and Harris Academy, have been approached for comment. Daily Headlines & Evening Telegraph Newsletter Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening, with our free daily newsletter. Enter email address