Taking Cornwall's voice to Parliament
On Thursday 22nd January, a group of Cornish school representatives, including Aspire Director Andrew Earnshaw and Academy Improvement Manager Jennifer Butler-Card, met with Cornish MPs and academics in the Houses of Parliament to help launch and discuss a key report commissioned through Plymouth Marjon University - "Place-based challenges for trainee teacher recruitment.”
The report and meeting were designed to highlight the unique challenges we face here in Cornwall in recruiting teachers, and to seek support and funding from central government to recognise these challenges. Some of the central issues discussed included the cost of training, transport, housing and capacity of schools. Alongside other training providers and multi-academy trusts, we desire to focus trainee bursaries on geographical areas of need instead of secondary based subjects.
The research for the report has shown that there could be net financial gain for Cornwall by front-loading training costs. Afterall, better trained teachers bring greater academic, social and economic wealth to the region.
We were also able to raise the issue of the current national funding formula that penalises Cornish schools when compared to those in urban areas, something that Aspire Academy Trust is constantly campaigning to change. A lack of funding makes it harder for schools to find the capacity to support trainees.
As a large multi-academy trust in Cornwall Aspire has an important role to play in fighting for the best deal for all Cornish schools and pupils, alongside other key players such as Kernow Learning and Roseland Trust. By attempting to influence policy at the highest level, we are working to secure a future where educational teams are fully staffed, resources are fairly funded, and the education profession is sustainable.
Click on the link below to download a copy of the report:
OneCornwall - Teaching School Hub Partnership for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly