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Head of under-fire academy trust in Birmingham resigns Head of under-fire academy trust in Birmingham resigns
(35 minutes later)
The head of a flagship multi-academy trust praised by the prime minister has resigned, leaving its five schools with an uncertain future.The head of a flagship multi-academy trust praised by the prime minister has resigned, leaving its five schools with an uncertain future.
Chief executive of the Birmingham's Perry Beeches Academy Trust Liam Nolan is said to be stepping aside so the trust can move forward. Chief executive of Birmingham's Perry Beeches Academy Trust Liam Nolan is said to be stepping aside so the trust can move forward.
Two new free schools to be run by the trust will not now go ahead. Two free schools to be run by the trust are not going ahead, the Guardian says.
The Education Funding Agency sanctioned the trust in March for "significant weakness in financial management". The Education Funding Agency criticised the trust in March for "significant weakness in financial management".
More on this story plus others from Birmingham Information from a whistleblower prompted the agency investigation, which found an additional salary of £160,000 was paid to Mr Nolan, over two years, through a third-party agreement - on top of his £120,000-a-year salary.
The Department for Education has put in place interim governance arrangements to ensure the schools' management. The governing body is reported by the Guardian to be stepping down.
Information from a whistleblower prompted a probe which found an additional salary of £160,000 was paid to Mr Nolan, over two years, through a third-party agreement - on top of his £120,000-a-year salary.
It was issued with a financial notice to improve.It was issued with a financial notice to improve.
More on this story plus others from Birmingham
The Department for Education said interim governance arrangements to ensure the schools' management had been put in place. The existing governing body is reported to be stepping down.
'Enormous support''Enormous support'
Staff at the high-performing schools were told Mr Nolan resigned "to allow... necessary changes required to move the trust forward". The Guardian reported staff were told Mr Nolan resigned "to allow... necessary changes required to move the trust forward".
The academy and free school trust, which has also been praised by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and her predecessor Michael Gove, runs five schools and looks after 2,400 pupils.The academy and free school trust, which has also been praised by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and her predecessor Michael Gove, runs five schools and looks after 2,400 pupils.
A message seen by the BBC told staff that Mr Nolan, the trust's chief executive/executive head teacher, had "thoroughly enjoyed his time at Perry Beeches since joining in 2007". It said he "would like it known that... it has been a privilege to work alongside colleagues, families and young people in the schools".A message seen by the BBC told staff that Mr Nolan, the trust's chief executive/executive head teacher, had "thoroughly enjoyed his time at Perry Beeches since joining in 2007". It said he "would like it known that... it has been a privilege to work alongside colleagues, families and young people in the schools".
It added that Mr Nolan "would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the enormous support during his time at Perry Beeches" and to wish everyone "the very best" for the future.It added that Mr Nolan "would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the enormous support during his time at Perry Beeches" and to wish everyone "the very best" for the future.
The DfE said in a statement: "Our priority is ensuring the education of pupils is not disrupted.
"Perry Beeches Academy Trust (PBAT) has already put in place interim governance arrangements to ensure the ongoing leadership and management of the schools are not affected.
"The Regional Schools Commissioner, Pank Patel, is working with the trust to secure future, permanent, governance arrangements. It would be inappropriate to discuss matters regarding the future of PBAT and its schools at this stage."
'Limited records'
The development comes just a few days after the government withdrew its plans to require all schools to become academies.The development comes just a few days after the government withdrew its plans to require all schools to become academies.
Conservative backbench MPs, councillors and opposition politicians had campaigned against the plan. Head teachers and education establishment figures also criticised the notion that schools would be forced to make the change in management structure.Conservative backbench MPs, councillors and opposition politicians had campaigned against the plan. Head teachers and education establishment figures also criticised the notion that schools would be forced to make the change in management structure.
In March, the academy chain was told to pay back £118,000 in government funding.In March, the academy chain was told to pay back £118,000 in government funding.
The trust claimed about £2.8m from the EFA for free school meals, but only kept limited records of its entitlements.The trust claimed about £2.8m from the EFA for free school meals, but only kept limited records of its entitlements.
An EFA report said this was a breach of government guidelines. The trust said it was a genuine administrative error.An EFA report said this was a breach of government guidelines. The trust said it was a genuine administrative error.