Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill
12:00 pm
Frankie Sulke: A vast number of local authorities are huge supporters of academies. The majority of academies probably exist because local authorities have sought them out as the best way to improve outcomes for young people in their area. Therefore, local authorities are champions of academies and are as passionate about their performance as that of any other provider. It is critical that academies—which have responsibility for so many children in the area, for which the local authority is ultimately accountable—are part of the conversations that create the services around that area, that create the teams around the child, to ensure that all children, particularly the most vulnerable, have the support that they need. It is critical, particularly in areas that have a lot of academies, to have the academy principals and sponsors around the table.