Acadamy school status : For or against?

They will be State run - but perhaps not in the way you mean. In being freed from LEA control, they are instead coming directly under the SoS for Education. This is a huge increase in potential Whitehall control. this Govt doesn't intend to control in such a way - but who can say what view future administrations might take?

There have been reported cases in some academies (one in Doncaster springs to mind) where pupils were excluded more frequently and with fewer checks. The reason this case made the national press was that parents were claiming the students were excluded for very petty (and unsubstantiated) issues and that this was backdoor (after the fact) selection.

Personally, I do not like the idea the running of schools being partially handed over to businesses and religious groups etc Schools should be state run, IMHO.

DrNorthener I've not heard anything about academies being asked not to recognise teaching unions, do you have a link or anything?

Fwiw I think they are divisive and cynical, and will result in the collapse of educational standards in the UK.

You can't really start a thread by stating you are totally against something
and then claim you want an 'enlightened discussion', What you really want
is an argument is it not?

And the point about challenging pupils. As far as I know, the selection criteria has to stay the same as before i.e. anyone within the catchment area qualifies. If a child turns up that has behavioural problems, they'll have to deal with it same as any other school would. According to the headteacher at my DS's new school, exclusion is seen as a last resort - and I've no reason to disbelieve him. Do you have any evidence that academies dump difficult kids on other schools?

I described you as prejudiced because you're not basing your 'boiling blood' reaction on evidence, simply fear and supposition. A lot of people are not in unions and yet are well protected by employment law. And presumably, like anyone else, if teachers employed by academies are not happy with the t's and c's they will simply leave and move somewhere that offers a better deal. No idea why they can't go back under LEA control after making the move but that doesn't seem to be stopping the applications.

As my DS is about to attend one, I'm 'for'. The school in question was a failing school several years ago, has been transformed in terms of discipline and results. The headteacher who engineered this turnaround is now actively helping other schools in the area achieve the same high standards. Converted to academy status earlier this year. Their inclusion policy is excellent.

I think you should wait and see what happens before judging based on prejudice rather than evidence....