Lord Nash calls for more academy sponsors

Schools Minister Lord Nash has called on leading schools, businesses and enterprising groups and individuals to step in and raise standards of education in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The events aim to attract businesses, schools, community leaders and others to become academy sponsors and school governors and to encourage them to advise young people on their options for the future or provide work experience or mentors. Invitations and speakers have been drawn from across the region's fifteen local authority areas.

Many schools in the region are performing well, and there are some brilliant sponsors turning around underperformance, said the Department in a statement, including Outwood Grange Academies Trust and the Gorse Academies Trust. However, there are still a number of primary and secondary schools where children are not getting the standard of education they need.

Lord Nash said businesses, and others in Yorkshire and the Humber, had the power and ability to change the current situation and improve school standards.

He said: "I want to see all schools in the area achieving the very best for their pupils. There are some fantastic examples of great schools here - but equally there are cases where children are not getting the start in life they deserve. I would urge businesses and public-spirited individuals and groups to come forward and sponsor an academy, become a governor or get involved in another way in helping young people realise their potential".

The three events are being held to show businesses how they can get involved in sponsoring academies. They are:

  •   the community leaders event - 17th October, 2013, 5:30pm at The Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT

  •  the business leaders symposium - 18th October 2013, 7:30am at Farnley Academy, Chapel Lane, Leeds LS12 5EU

  •  the system leaders symposium - 18th October 2013, 10:30am at Farnley Academy, Chapel Lane, Leeds LS12 5EU