Government climbdown over forced academies plan in England

[GColdtimer]

www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/06/government-backs-down-over-plan-to-make-all-schools-academies

Have you seen this. Looks like another government U turn. I am delighted of course but also a bit suspicious

This bit slightly concerns me as the definition of "underperforming" could mean anything with this lot if the SATS are anyting to go by.

"Instead, the legislation to be unveiled in the Queen’s speech will include new powers for the DfE to force all schools in “underperforming” local authorities to convert to accademy status."

[Mistigri]

Love the timing, just as the press is thoroughly distracted working out to spin a respectable election result into a Corbyn catastrophe.

Seriously though, I imagine they finally got round to having the bean counters count how many beans would be required to pay for it. I don't think it's a U turn so much as an "oh shit, it'll cost THAT much?!" moment.

[GColdtimer]

Yes, I agree the timing of the annoucement is just laughable.

I think people in the Tory party were all telling the DofE what a ridiculous idea it was and what a waste it was going to be and they were just wondering what would be the best day to announce a rethink.....

[noblegiraffe]

The timing is because the headteacher's conference last weekend voted that they were prepared to take industrial action over forced academisation.

[GColdtimer]

ah I didn't realise that, I have been a bit out the loop in the past week or so. Good for them.

[BlueEyeshadow]

But the DfE just tweeted this: "Where a LA is underperforming or unviable, legislation will be introduced to convert all schools within that LA to become an academy."

So they're still just as keen on forced academies as ever, and will find plenty of ways to make LAs "unviable" (is that even a word?), or deem them "underperforming".

[GColdtimer]

But to choose today of all days shows how embarrassing this is for them. The media is full of election news.

[GColdtimer]

I agree, blueeyeshadow, on what criteria are they basing "underperforming". Its like the SATS - set the bar impossibly high and then say they weren't meeting necessary standards.

[SisterViktorine]

As they are going to decide the pass mark for SATs after the kids have done the papers we could all be underperforming by this time next week.

[Frazzled2207]

Breathing a sigh of relief here.
I'm sure some schools could be improved by academising but imposing it on good schools and LAs seemed a terrible idea.
Great that nicky morgan has climbed down before the inevitable strikes. But yes a good day to bury bad (good!) news

[squoosh]

And Toby Young is stepping down as CEO of his free school. Apparently this schools administration malarkey was harder than he realised!

Arse.

[SisterViktorine]

Maybe it's time to leave education to people who... know about education. Controversial I know.

[PausingFlatly]

What BlueEyeshadow said.

Same destination, slightly roundabout route.

[eddiemairswife]

Just heard an excruciating interview with Justine Greening on PM. It reduced Eddie Mair (that's my man!) to giggles as she tried to explain why this was announced today, and not earlier in the week.

[LemonRedwood]

I choked on my drink when I read the bit where Nicky Morgan said that they are a "listening government"

[LittleHouseOnTheShelf]

Lemon blimey, it's a wonder she didn't trip over her nose after that little gem.

[lljkk]

If LA education offices become smaller & smaller, will they continue to be financially viable & able to offer efficient services? Because the drive to academise will mean fewer & fewer LA clients, so less & less funding for the LA officers, right?