This was a joint RIG meeting between the Structural Reform Group and the Leadership Preparation and Development RIG, to hear presentations from Dr Sara Bubb, Jonathan Crossley-Holland, and Dr Susan Cousin, from their research into ‘The Middle Tier’. We found that the middle tier oversight functions cost £1,212.8m in 2016/17. The functions for academies cost 44% more than the LA system – academy middle tier costs in 2016/17 totalled £687.4m or £167.05 per pupil compared to £525.4m or £115.17 per pupil for the LA system. These presentations were very well-received, and you can access the Power Point here. The full published document is available to access here: http://sarabubb.com/middle-tier/4594671314 There followed a very animated afternoon of discussion around changes to the system with contributions from head teachers; system leaders; academics; and research students
