Future Academies

Future Academies is a multi-academy trust based in London and Hertfordshire in England. It was set up by the charity Future, and Caroline Nash the wife of a former Conservative schools minister, Lord Nash.^[1]

The Academies[]

• Pimlico Academy
• Phoenix Academy
• Laureate Academy
• Barclay Academy
• The Grange Academy
• Future Academies Watford
• Trinity Academy
• Millbank Academy
• Pimlico Primary
• Churchill Gardens Primary Academy

The Controversies[]

In 2013 Labour councillors called for an inquiry after the new Pimlico primary school where Nash was co-chairman of the governors appointed an unqualified teacher as headmistress ahead of its opening with 60 pupils in September 2013.^[2] Further criticism followed when she resigned after four weeks in the job.^[3][4] The school said that the headmistress had successfully set up the school and wished to pursue other opportunities.^[4]

Future academies pushed ahead and opened the Trinity Academy in an area with 200 surplus school places when it only had 17 pupils prepared to attend. It is not understood why the Conservative run government did not cancel the project, as it did in 2012 with Newham Free Academy. Previously the government had spent £18 million securing the site for the trust.^[5]

Pimlico Academy is spoken of as the trust's flagship academy. In 2021, it appointed a new head-teacher who changed the dress code in a way that alienated pupils, staff and parents and was seen as racist, because it forbade colourful hijabs and hairstyles with a lot of height, such as afros.^[6] The same month they planted a flag outside the school to fulfil a political request from the Prime Ministers office.^[7] It was burnt down and graffiti appeared "There is no black in the Union Jack." The staff held a no confidence vote, which passed with 99%. 98% of the staff ballotted for strike action.^[8]

In January 2019, Future Academies under the chairmanship of firmer academies minister Lord Nash, had 4 members of whom 3 were trustees.^[9]

References[]