Academy trust’s central charges doubled in two years? There’s nothing we can do, says Department for Education

Parent’s letter raising concerns about Initio Learning Trust drew a blank from DfE regional director’s office, leaving him wondering if there was anyone to turn to.

A vivid insight into the standoffishness of the Department for Education when it comes to how academies operate has been provided by communications around a local campaign in England’s South West.

With nearly 1,000 people now having joined a Facebook group concerned about looming job cuts at the 19-school Initio Learning Trust, and concerns about its financial management including a huge recent increase in its central charges or “topslice,” a parent asked the Department for Education to intervene.

But the answer they received essentially said that: “There’s little we can do, as academies manage their own finances and staffing.”