Sponser Profile: Charles Dunstone

It's looking ever more likely that Charles Dunstone, CEO of the Carphone Warehouse is going in charge of Fulwood High by September 2009. The proposed sponsor will be investing £2 million into the school, allowing him free reign over the curriculum, uniform, hiring and firing of members of staff and their salaries. I think we'd better find out a bit more about him.

Photo by Adrian Purser

• Born November 21st 1964 Charles Dunstone was brought up near Saffron Walden in Essex, and attended Uppingham School in Leicestershire.
  
• In his A-Levels he scraped a C in history a D in geography and an E in economics.
• After leaving school he got a job with Computer company NEC and allegedly enjoyed it so much he abandoned his plans to go to Liverpool University to do a degree in business.
  
• He co-founded the Carphone Warehouse in 1989 with David Ross using £6,000 of his savings. The pair started out by selling phones out of their Marylebone flat in central London to plumbers and builders.
• He is also a Non-Executive Director of HBOS PLC and The Daily Mail General Trust and Chairman of the Princes Trust Trading Board.
• An survey in the Observer rated him as the 124th most powerful person in the UK.
• At 44 he remains single. He says that he wants to have children in the future but "hasn't found the one yet".
  
• He was ranked 83rd in the 2008 Sunday Times Richlist with an estimated £904 million personal wealth.
• Mr Dunstone enjoys sailing and listening to Jack Johnson
  

The Academy Success Story: Hit or Miss?

A five-year study into the government’s academy programme released by Price Waterhouse Cooper this November paints a mixed picture of academy success. Although it reported an overall improvement in all academies since 2003, it raised concerns about the number of permanent exclusions and financial inconsistencies.

Triumph
The government claims that turning an under performing school into an academy will improve its performance. Jim Knight, Minister for Schools argues that many academy sponsors are responsible for a new positive ethos in schools. Their belief in the child is improving results. In an article in the Guardian on Friday November 29th he said “Earlier this month, I visited North Liverpool Academy and it was one of the most inspiring schools I've ever visited.

"In one of the most deprived communities in the country, I saw first hand what a difference the academy programme makes to children’s lives."

Academies are not only meeting their mission of helping children in deprived communities let down for decades but also developing a truly comprehensive intake. That’s something to celebrate not decry.”

Myth
In a recent study Dr Terry Wrigley at the University of Edinburgh challenges the success story of academies. He argues that the Academies report does not take the changing population of the schools’ into consideration. He found that the proportion of children from socially deprived backgrounds has decreased compared to their predecessor schools. This is because when a school is turned into an academy a huge amount of money is initially invested. This attracts a different sort of pupil he argues. Children from more affluent families will apply to the school to take advantage of the better facilities. Three children apply for each academy place, and those with better results are chosen. The school demographic changes as more disruptive children are displaced by those from more affluent backgrounds.

“Despite the government's claims, and despite the vast expense, there has been no overall impact of academies on pupils' results, simply a change in the pupil population.” said Dr Wrigley

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Dr Wrigley's research analysed the relative improvement of academies in light of the changing population of the school. The map shows the improvement of GCSE results for academies according to his findings.


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Preston academy consultation branded a “farce”

The current consultation over Fulwood High School and Arts College is a “farce” according to anti-academy campaigners.

Opponents say the ad undermines the current consultation over the controversial plan which is not due to end until December 19th. Parents, students, staffs and residents were invited by Lancashire Council to offer their opinions on the proposed plans for September 2009. If the plans go a head Fulwood High would be replaced by North Preston Academy and will be independently run by proposed sponsor Charles Dunstone, CEO of the Carphone Warehouse.

Criticism stirred after an advert appeared in the Times on 13th November advertising for a new head teacher for the planned academy. According to the advert applicants should apply “as soon as possible” and would receive a “generous remuneration package”.

Councillor Michael Lavalette, an opponent of the plans said “It suggests that the consultation is a complete and utter farce. We have been banned from handing out leaflets and including them in the consultation pack. If you were to read the consultation package you would think that there are no doubts about academies.”



Councillor Vali Patel, who will be making the ultimate decision about the proposed plans, brushed aside claims that he’d made up his mind over the matter. “The reaction is understandable, but the advert does not make the consultation any less credible. Lancashire County Council did not advertise for a new head, it was the sponsor. People can still make their presentations and I can still be persuaded, if arguments carry enough weight.”

Let's all ride a bike!

There's nothing more satisfying that whizzing past a huge queue of traffic on your trusty two wheeled friend. Cycling is cheap, good for the environment and gives you a heavenly 10 more minutes in bed. Hurray!