Beleaguered academy trust moves to scale down its controversial “iPads for all” scheme, while hinting at an uncertain future
A demonstration, calling for change at ATLP, in Birmingham in January. Pic: NEU.
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has not denied rumours that its schools could be transferred to another chain or chains.
A multi-academy trust which saw its entire strategic leadership stand down last term amid huge controversy over its finances has announced a raft of changes, including a scaling-back of a super-contentious scheme in which all pupils and more than 1,000 staff have been provided with their own iPads.
The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, also announced what appeared to be a reduction in its huge central topslice and yet another financial bail-out from the Department for Education – but also hinted at uncertainty over its longer-term future.
The iPad scheme is to be cut in half, with more than 5,000 devices which had been available to pupils via a lease scheme to be returned, the trust has announced. Meanwhile, it said “a number of options” for the future of its schools were being discussed with the DfE.
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By Warwick Mansell for EDUCATION UNCOVERED
Published: 29 April 2026
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So well researched but all so sad for the pupils, staff, families and schools involved in this unnecessary mess. The problem with the pass the parcel response of moving schools into new trusts or rebranding is that it does not tackle the fundamental problem with the academies. They don’t work and geography has been ignored. A sensible joined up government is going to have to link in with local government reform. If the keep on pursuing the failed policies, this will end up being the most botched privatisation yet. All bureaucracies have problems but companies are the best vehicle for business but government is needed for public services. Some of the names mentioned that have moved on did have good reputations at times, suggesting the problem here is the structure.