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Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

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  • Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

    ******THIS IS AT 'SURVEY' STAGE ATM, SO JUST FYI******
    Dear charity,

    Breaking news: the government wants to rush through plans to turn every state school in England into an academy.[1] They’re schools funded by taxpayers, but run by businesses, sponsors or trusts. [2]

    The government says their plan will cut down on bureaucracy and put local teachers in charge. [3] But critics say that too many academies provide poor education for kids, force schools to compete with each other like businesses, and give parents nowhere to turn when things go wrong. [4]

    The government wants to rush these plans through Parliament in a matter of days - so if we want to campaign on this, we need to act quickly.

    38 Degrees belongs to all of us, and we make our best decisions together. So, should we campaign to stop the government’s plans?

    (PERSONAL VOTING OPTIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR THIS POST - FYI ONLY) (My addition)

    We know that not all academy schools are bad. In fact, some have been shown to provide an excellent education for students. [5] But academies have been accused of poor working hours, undemocratic processes and watered-down curriculums. [6]

    Right now, the National Curriculum tells schools what they need to teach. It’s not perfect, but it makes sure that every child learns the basics: science, maths, English, and important issues like the Holocaust and climate change. But academies don’t need to follow the National Curriculum - so these new plans would mean the end of it.

    If enough of us vote to campaign on this, 38 Degrees members could do a lot together. We could throw our weight into stopping the government from rushing their plans through. Or we could campaign to improve them instead - by forcing the government to guarantee that no school will be privatised, for example, or giving parents more of a say.

    38 Degrees members are a diverse bunch. We might not all agree about what’s best for our children or grandchildren’s education - but we’re strongest when we all work together. So we’ll only campaign on this if lots of us decide to. What do you think, charity?

    (PERSONAL VOTING OPTIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR THIS POST - FYI ONLY) (My addition)


    Thanks for being involved,

    Lorna, Bex, Laura, Carlton and the rest of the 38 Degrees team


    PS: If you’d like to chat to other 38 Degrees members about academy schools, you can join the lively debate on the 38 Degrees Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerchange/posts/10156665277400788

    NOTES:
    [1] The Guardian: Every english school to become an academy, ministers to announce:
    http://www.theguardian.com/education...rs-to-announce
    [2] Gov.uk: Types of school:
    https://www.gov.uk/types-of-school/academies
    Full Fact: Academies and maintained schools: what do we know?:
    https://fullfact.org/education/academies-and-maintained-schools-what-do-we-know/
    [3] The Independent: every school will be forced to become an academy, Government to announce:
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a6932466.html
    [4] Here are a couple of articles on the effect of academies on making schools compete with each other.
    The Guardian: Academy schools mean more competition for schools - but must dog eat dog?
    http://www.theguardian.com/education...re-competition
    BBC: No proof academies raise standards, say MPs
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30983081
    Here’s an article about academies being criticised by school inspectors:
    The Guardian: Academy chains come under fire from OFSTED chief:
    http://www.theguardian.com/education...m-ofsted-chief
    Here’s an article on some of the problems of academies when it comes to accountability:
    Modern Governor: Academies - an accountability sinkhole?
    https://www.moderngovernor.com/academisation-accountability-deficit/#sthash.sj3IZwGU.dpbs
    [5] The Guardian: Academies are a success story:
    http://www.theguardian.com/education...condaryschools
    The Sun: Education Secretary Michael Gove on the success of academy schools:
    http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...y-schools.html
    [6] New Statesman: ten things they don’t tell you about academies:
    http://www.newstatesman.com/educatio...ools-academies
    Last edited by charitynjw; 17th March 2016, 02:11:AM.
    CAVEAT LECTOR

    This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

    You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
    Cohen, Herb


    There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
    gets his brain a-going.
    Phelps, C. C.


    "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
    The last words of John Sedgwick
    Tags: None

  • #2
    Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

    I'm currently looking at moving my Son to an Academy school from September as he enters year 10 because they don't have to follow the National Curriculum. The 'Options' for his GCSE subject were very limited and it worked out he could only actually choose 1 subject ( out of a very limited range ) because they are obsessed about pushing children into the EBAC. After his GCSE's he'd be going on to college to do the subjects he wants to do,(IT, Media, Science and Engineering) which he can actually start doing now at GCSE level and will be far better placed to go into an apprenticeship or on to a higher level at college after his GCSEs. The school has much better links with local industry ( engineering and IT ) and the facilities, extra curricular opportunities, and teaching staff (the one's I've met anyway) are superb.

    There's lots of campaigns against the school he's looking at moving to, because its new and taking students from other local 'normal' schools, so I do have reservations but you don't get anywhere in life if you play it safe.

    He;s actually spending a full day there shadowing another pupil from year 10 next week so we'll see how that goes.
    #staysafestayhome

    Any support I provide is offered without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

    Received a Court Claim? Read >>>>> First Steps

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

      What is an academy?

      Academies are independent, state-funded schools, which receive their funding directly from central government, rather than through a local authority.
      The day-to-day running of the school is with the head teacher or principal, but they are overseen by individual charitable bodies called academy trusts and may be part of an academy chain.
      These trusts and chains provide advice, support, expertise and a strategic overview.
      They control their own admissions process and have more freedom than other schools to innovate.

      They can and will only be as good as the people that run them. Quite a few have had fraud allegations and indeed convictions, something that affects all businesses as we know full well. If this is to be put in place then a proper regulator with teeth and that stands no messing has to go along with it. This is something we have not seen happening over the years, even though it is always promised, it's all guidelines and rules that can be broken, not good enough for something as big and important as this imho.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

        The school my children go to was changed from state-run to Academy some years ago.

        Imho it has gone from 'acceptable' to abysmal.

        It is 'business (profit) first' - pupils are tolerated, as long as they are 'performing' (got to get a good Ofsted report, haven't they?).

        If the pupil is a bit 'challenging - easy answer......'performance' them out!

        & as the senior teachers are also on the Board of Governors, who do you bring a grievance to?

        Oh well, as long as those in charge have got their expensive toys to play with (I wonder where that money comes from?)

        Rant over........................
        CAVEAT LECTOR

        This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

        You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
        Cohen, Herb


        There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
        gets his brain a-going.
        Phelps, C. C.


        "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
        The last words of John Sedgwick

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

          Not sure how truthful THIS is ... but it's kinda scary to say the least
          As of September 2012, schools wanting to appoint someone on the basis of their special skills and experience no longer need to consider whether or not there's a teacher with qualified status available. Academies were also given freedoms to employ teachers regardless of whether they were qualified.

          The government say the reforms give schools the freedom to "appoint the right people to teach their pupils" and provide academies with the freedom to employ professionals who "may be extremely well-qualified and are excellent teachers, but who do not have QTS status". These moves have been criticised by the Labour party for 'harming standards'—pointing to an increase in the number of unqualified teachers.
          Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

          It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

          recte agens confido

          ~~~~~

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          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

            Seems the Academy is not going to be popular with the teachers and also unpopular is the tests for 4 yr olds. Tests for 4 yr olds what a bloody outrageous idea.
            They should be learning how to get along with each other, addressing any language problems and I don't mean foreign languages, playing and learning new skills including basic reading and maths. They're going to make kids feel unequal before they even start proper education.
            About time these clone clowns learned a few lessons and got tested themselves on life and living, it's not all about targets.

            Just another point, Education Secretary says if we leave EU we will have a mass exodus of teachers, course it wont be anything to do with the stupid rules that she is trying to implement.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

              My childrens' academy has a 'business manager'.

              When I was doing 'business studies' a few moons back, I was taught that the first rule of business is to maximise profits.

              Sooo.............hire unqualified staff, pay them substantially less than qualified people.......bingo! Instant profit!!

              (Of course, this doesn't apply to 'senior' management, who are probably on the Board of Governors, & likely have shares in the business........no conflict of interest there, then!! :whistle
              CAVEAT LECTOR

              This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

              You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
              Cohen, Herb


              There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
              gets his brain a-going.
              Phelps, C. C.


              "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
              The last words of John Sedgwick

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

                Originally posted by charitynjw View Post
                ******THIS IS AT 'SURVEY' STAGE ATM, SO JUST FYI******
                Dear charity,

                Breaking news: the government wants to rush through plans to turn every state school in England into an academy.[1] They’re schools funded by taxpayers, but run by businesses, sponsors or trusts. [2]

                The government says their plan will cut down on bureaucracy and put local teachers in charge. [3] But critics say that too many academies provide poor education for kids, force schools to compete with each other like businesses, and give parents nowhere to turn when things go wrong. [4]

                The government wants to rush these plans through Parliament in a matter of days - so if we want to campaign on this, we need to act quickly.

                38 Degrees belongs to all of us, and we make our best decisions together. So, should we campaign to stop the government’s plans?

                (PERSONAL VOTING OPTIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR THIS POST - FYI ONLY) (My addition)

                We know that not all academy schools are bad. In fact, some have been shown to provide an excellent education for students. [5] But academies have been accused of poor working hours, undemocratic processes and watered-down curriculums. [6]

                Right now, the National Curriculum tells schools what they need to teach. It’s not perfect, but it makes sure that every child learns the basics: science, maths, English, and important issues like the Holocaust and climate change. But academies don’t need to follow the National Curriculum - so these new plans would mean the end of it.

                If enough of us vote to campaign on this, 38 Degrees members could do a lot together. We could throw our weight into stopping the government from rushing their plans through. Or we could campaign to improve them instead - by forcing the government to guarantee that no school will be privatised, for example, or giving parents more of a say.

                38 Degrees members are a diverse bunch. We might not all agree about what’s best for our children or grandchildren’s education - but we’re strongest when we all work together. So we’ll only campaign on this if lots of us decide to. What do you think, charity?

                (PERSONAL VOTING OPTIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR THIS POST - FYI ONLY) (My addition)


                Thanks for being involved,

                Lorna, Bex, Laura, Carlton and the rest of the 38 Degrees team


                PS: If you’d like to chat to other 38 Degrees members about academy schools, you can join the lively debate on the 38 Degrees Facebook page:
                https://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerchange/posts/10156665277400788

                NOTES:
                [1] The Guardian: Every english school to become an academy, ministers to announce:
                http://www.theguardian.com/education...rs-to-announce
                [2] Gov.uk: Types of school:
                https://www.gov.uk/types-of-school/academies
                Full Fact: Academies and maintained schools: what do we know?:
                https://fullfact.org/education/academies-and-maintained-schools-what-do-we-know/
                [3] The Independent: every school will be forced to become an academy, Government to announce:
                http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a6932466.html
                [4] Here are a couple of articles on the effect of academies on making schools compete with each other.
                The Guardian: Academy schools mean more competition for schools - but must dog eat dog?
                http://www.theguardian.com/education...re-competition
                BBC: No proof academies raise standards, say MPs
                http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30983081
                Here’s an article about academies being criticised by school inspectors:
                The Guardian: Academy chains come under fire from OFSTED chief:
                http://www.theguardian.com/education...m-ofsted-chief
                Here’s an article on some of the problems of academies when it comes to accountability:
                Modern Governor: Academies - an accountability sinkhole?
                https://www.moderngovernor.com/academisation-accountability-deficit/#sthash.sj3IZwGU.dpbs
                [5] The Guardian: Academies are a success story:
                http://www.theguardian.com/education...condaryschools
                The Sun: Education Secretary Michael Gove on the success of academy schools:
                http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...y-schools.html
                [6] New Statesman: ten things they don’t tell you about academies:
                http://www.newstatesman.com/educatio...ools-academies
                The state school kids already have to compete with privileged kids from grammar and independent schools (ie private schools like Eton, to name one even though there are several up and down the country), which we know is more likely to lead to either Oxford or Cambridge University educations, notwithstanding foreign nationals. I am sure that the likes of Eton are not going to be prejudiced by this mass change to corporate factories, which will produce its commodities, the children/ graduates. It is just simply remarkable the life experience of the privileged compared with the average kid from a state school. At 11, privileged kids are learning the political rules for their inevitable Parliament careers whilst at the other end of the spectrum some kids are already training for a career as a criminal, the sad thing is the privileged kids will have written the criminal laws that criminalised his poor working class counterparts.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

                  Originally posted by Openlaw15 View Post
                  The state school kids already have to compete with privileged kids from grammar and independent schools (ie private schools like Eton, to name one even though there are several up and down the country), which we know is more likely to lead to either Oxford or Cambridge University educations, notwithstanding foreign nationals. I am sure that the likes of Eton are not going to be prejudiced by this mass change to corporate factories, which will produce its commodities, the children/ graduates. It is just simply remarkable the life experience of the privileged compared with the average kid from a state school. At 11, privileged kids are learning the political rules for their inevitable Parliament careers whilst at the other end of the spectrum some kids are already training for a career as a criminal, the sad thing is the privileged kids will have written the criminal laws that criminalised his poor working class counterparts.
                  Cue Fagin, Bill Sykes, The Artful Dodger..........................

                  What next? The Poor House? Debtor's Prison? Transportation?

                  That's progress for you!!
                  CAVEAT LECTOR

                  This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

                  You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
                  Cohen, Herb


                  There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
                  gets his brain a-going.
                  Phelps, C. C.


                  "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
                  The last words of John Sedgwick

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

                    And yet another well thought out (NOT) plan squashed. These people are an insult to our intelligence being paid to think up ideas with little or no research, or no likelihood of succeeding.
                    Anyone kept a tab on the U turns ? I have lost count.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

                      Originally posted by enaid View Post
                      And yet another well thought out (NOT) plan squashed. These people are an insult to our intelligence being paid to think up ideas with little or no research, or no likelihood of succeeding.
                      Anyone kept a tab on the U turns ? I have lost count.
                      42? http://cameronscorkers.org/

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

                        Well, we've just had the confirmation that my youngest has got into the Academy school starting in September. So no more funnelling through the system which appears to aim to make every child identically crap.

                        He'll be taking GCSE Media, GCSE Business Studies, GCSE Computing, Cambridge National iMedia, Cambridge National ICT, Cambridge National Systems Control, GCSE Maths, English Lit, English Lan, Physics, Biology & Chemistry.

                        He'll have some amazing expensive toys to play with He'll have fantastic opportunities outside school, there's fantastic links with local industry (Derby & Nottingham) for work experience and later at apprenticeships and Uni. Class sizes are small and the children I have met there are passionate and motivated.

                        Probably ask me again in a year but for now I can't wait for him to get started.

                        I do disagree that all schools should be forced to become Academies, but changes are needed away from the current system that inspires no-one. It could just be our particular (non-academy) school is particularly poor - it's gone down from Good to requires Improvement last inspection.
                        #staysafestayhome

                        Any support I provide is offered without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                        Received a Court Claim? Read >>>>> First Steps

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Academy schools - ✔️ or ❌? (38 Degrees)

                          Great news, good luck to him it does sound well over just ideal.
                          Once again this is a subject that the clone clowns think they know better on that the people who do the job day in day out.
                          IMHO there are many factors as to why some schools do well while others fail, am not saying I know what these factors are but the teachers and all school staff do and it is they should be saying what needs to happen to address this.
                          Just because a lot of the clone clowns have had privileged educations and possibly private health care, it does not in any way make them experts on how these systems should be run for us common folk. Time they learned from those that do know what's going on in the real world.

                          Comment

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