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AIBU?

inadequate primary being forced to be an academy

12 replies

farewellfigure · 17/03/2014 14:38

Hi. Our local primary school has just failed its Ofsted inspection (fallen from good to inadequate in 18 months). I'm all for the school having a bit of a shake-up and do agree with some of the things Ofsted said in their report. However it seems we're being forced into becoming an academy, that it is a foregone conclusion and we cannot stop it from happening. Does anyone know whether this is true and whether the parents can do ANYTHING to stop this? AIBU to have serious doubts and reservations? I would welcome anyone with any knowledge about this. Mostly as to whether their dcs go to an academy and that everything is hunky dory!

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Rooble · 17/03/2014 14:54

I'm pretty certain that if the school is inadequate no one has any say as to whether or not it should become an academy - it will be forced to become one.
There may be scope for the IEB (who replace the governing body) to select which academy chain will sponsor it though.

I'm sure better-informed people will now answer though.

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farewellfigure · 17/03/2014 15:46

The Trust has already been picked. It just seems as though the parents have no voice whatsoever and it seems as though we're being forced into something we don't want. I have no idea if there is even any point in trying to start a revolution but wondered whether anyone has ever heard of the parents saying 'no' and winning!

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niminypiminy · 17/03/2014 15:49

If the governors have agreed to academisation there is not much hope to be honest. But you could contact the Anti-Academies Alliance for more info.

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ilovesooty · 17/03/2014 15:50

If the school is classified as inadequate control and decision making are no longer on the agenda. It is forced to become an academy.

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NynaevesSister · 17/03/2014 15:53

No it isn't the only option. Just the one pushed on schools the most. Some have successfully dodged it by defeating with a successful local authority school. This probably won't happen here as Croydon is in favour of academies but it shows there are two options.

www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Heavers-Farm-academy-link-Selsdon-Primary/story-20649860-detail/story.html

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neolara · 17/03/2014 15:57

I knew a school where this happened. The governing body was effectively railroaded into it becoming an academy. They had no real choice in the matter.

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farewellfigure · 17/03/2014 16:21

Hi. Thanks for the advice. Particularly the bit about the school in Croydon. We have a very similar situation here in that a head from another local primary has been drafted in and is giving us 50% of her time. She has already made vast changes to behaviour in just over a week. I'd much prefer the idea of having our school 'supported' by another, rather than becoming an academy. Now... how on earth do I go about it? I need to rally support!

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5madthings · 17/03/2014 16:24

Cavell school in Norfolk is trying to stop the academy process, they are now out if special measures. They are on Twitter and Fb. Google them. They have a big campaign and lots of support.

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farewellfigure · 17/03/2014 17:28

This is great stuff. It's giving me hope and a lot of info with which to consider our next move. Maybe I need to see how many other parents are willing to give up a bit of time and effort to oppose the academy. Blimey... this could be a pretty major undertaking!

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Pipbin · 17/03/2014 18:11

It is in the government's interest to find schools inadequate and force them into being academies. They are privatising education. It has to be stopped.

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Whathaveiforgottentoday · 17/03/2014 19:13

They have stopped a secondary school in barking and dagenham becoming an academy (Warren School) but I believe measures to help it improve were already in place. It is being supported by another school in the borough.