ACES Academies Trust responds to Mark Patterson's email

Mark Patterson, principal of Hinchingbrooke School, outlined the "significant concerns” he has about the ACES Academies Trust in a lengthy email to parents announcing his resignation. 

In his letter, he shared concerns about how the trust operates, its leadership and that around £0.75m each year is “top-sliced” from the school’s budget.  

But last night (Thursday March 7), the trust responded to the allegations explaining the communication was “sent without consultation and did not follow the expected protocols for disseminating such information”. 

Brian Message, chair of trustees of the ACES Academies Trust, also told parents the recruitment process will soon be underway for a new principal. 

He said: “Mark’s decision to leave the school came after he internally voiced his disagreement with the board’s plans for future growth and development.  

“We are saddened that he did not share our aspirations and we are disappointed that our attempts to resolve his concerns were not acceptable to him.” 

He added: “The trust’s primary focus is to provide the very best education for your children.  

 “We would like to reassure you that the Trust is well run with a commitment to value for money and a high standard of transparent financial scrutiny that is reviewed annually by the Department for Education.” 

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Mr Message explained the trust’s reserves have funded various projects at Hinchingbrooke School such as: IT equipment during the pandemic; new toilet facilities and an additional £200,000 to support high needs pupils; and students with special educational needs and disabilities.  

He went on to “assure” parents that the practice of “top-slicing” “is a standard funding model used by many similar-sized Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and Local Authorities.  

Mr Message said: “Top Slicing means a MAT takes a proportion of each academy’s budget which is used to provide essential services.  

“This amount is usually less than 10 per cent for a MAT of our size as is the situation in ACES.  

“Thanks to increased buying power, this model means we can achieve greater efficiencies.  

“In exchange, the school is provided with services such as school improvement, IT, HR, Finance and estates from a central budget.” 

At Hinchingbrooke School, he said the trust keeps the estate management in-house because outsourcing the upkeep services on its Grade-I Listed building would “certainly be more expensive”.  

“So, while any ‘top-slicing’ goes into a central pot it is still spent on ensuring the best education for your children,” he added.  

Brian Message, Chair of Trustees at the ACES Academies Trust, explained maintenance of the Grade-I Listed building at Hinchingbrooke School is kept in-house for cost reasons. (Image: Newsquest)Meanwhile, parents have been responding to Mr Patterson’s shock departure. 

One wrote on The Hunts Post Facebook page: “I have so much respect for Mr Patterson for standing up to this academy. 

“So many people are failing to notice the mess MATs are making of our education system and not only does our government not care, they are actively supporting it. 

“This needs to open people's eyes. If we don't fight back our children are the ones who suffer.” 

Another who contacted The Hunts Post directly, feels there should be a vote of no confidence in the Trust's CEO Andrew Goulding.  

The parent said: “As a parent of a pupil, the trust has brought no visible improvements or benefits to the school. 

“There should be a vote of no confidence in the CEO of the trust, which has now clearly bullied out a really effective headteacher and is taking money away from the school - for what?  

“A highly paid CEO ... who did very little as a head teacher let alone CEO.” 

When approached for comment, the ACES Academies Trust said it had nothing further to add.