Guest post: Nicky Morgan - "Why academisation is best for our schools"

[MumsnetGuestPosts]

As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want to make sure they have access to the best opportunities and to help them grow up into well-rounded adults. Making sure that our children have a high quality education is a key part of that.

I want to outline exactly what academisation means and why I truly believe this is the best way forward for our schools. Our children only have one shot at receiving the best education and I am committed to ensuring this happens as swiftly as possible.

We need to put our trust into the hands of the people that know best how to run our schools - the teachers - and the academy system does just that. tells you more about what an academy is. It gives schools greater autonomy to make the decisions that are right for their community and pupils. After all, we have the finest generation of teachers ever and being part of an academy helps put the power back in their hands.

The most recent results show that the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level in reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage 2 in primary academies has risen by 4%, from 67% in 2014 to 71% in 2015. Additionally, when it comes to secondary, it's a similar story with converter academies which are performing 7.2% above the national average, with 64.3% of pupils achieving five good GCSEs.

However, a dynamic school system where all schools are academies is just one part of a much wider plan to improve our education system which I set out yesterday in our white paper.

It is every parent's right to know their child is in an excellent school no matter where in the country they live. I am confident that this move will guarantee a higher school standard with each academy held to account for the performance of their pupils.

Ultimately, I am committed to making it easier for you as a parent to play an even more active role in your child's education. In essence, I want to put young people and parents first – something that might sound obvious, but the truth is that for too long parents have been an afterthought in our education system. We want you as parents to have a much stronger voice in what happens to your child during their school years, because we know that you want the very best for your child.

So how are we doing that? Firstly, I am well aware that the education system can appear complex to many parents. I am dedicated to changing this once and for all, and putting the control firmly back in your hands. As a result of this, I plan to introduce a new, online Parents Portal from as early as next year. This portal will enable parents' access to key information and allow you to support your child's learning.

Alongside this, we have changed the curriculum and the way that students will be assessed. This will help to raise standards and make sure that your child leaves school with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. It is imperative that every child fulfils their potential, and this includes stretching the most able pupils.

More young people will also study the EBacc - a combination of maths, English, two sciences, a humanity and a language - up to the age of 16. And the exams and qualifications young people are awarded will set a new international gold standard that is respected by employers, helping them to succeed in our increasingly global world.

I am a firm believer that an exceptional education transforms children's futures and everything outlined in this White Paper is committed to ensuring that parents and pupils come first. Our goal must always be to ensure every single child leaves school with the best education and the opportunity to excel in adult life. I believe that together, we can achieve that goal.

[Figmentofmyimagination]

The reason why this policy was in the budget is because its aim is financial - to destroy national collective bargaining of teacher terms and conditions with the local authority. It is a cost saving measure designed to force down wages and other terms, but it also reflects George osborne's deep seated and longstanding loathing of unions and collective bargaining, or any form of collective worker voice.

The policy is being introduced at the same time as the trade union bill. This is not a coincidence. The bill is designed to make it extremely difficult for national unions to organise industrial action to stop policies like forced academisation. It does this by introducing a very high balloting threshold for industrial action by teachers of under 16s and by making it possible for strikes to be broken by supply teachers from employment agencies. Both policies breach international labour organisation conventions ratified by the uk government.

Morgan is just a stooge and the children are collateral damage for Osborne.

[rollonthesummer]

Well done for the petition-Bridget, it's doing so well. Fingers crossed its enough.

The NUT are urging people to write to their MP as well-I think this is well worth doing.

[rollonthesummer]

Has the trade union bill been passed?

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Not yet. It's in the House of Lords.

[rollonthesummer]

I hadn't heard anything more about that. Did the unions not retaliate? Were there petitions?!

[rollonthesummer]

Link

Superb! We have an anthem!

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Yes there have been loads of campaigns - by all the different unions as it affects all workers, not just teachers. The campaigns are continuing. Here is a TUC link.

www.tuc.org.uk/TUbill

[Valentine2]

Ok JUSTINE. I understand. We have come this far and it's great.






BRIDGET CHAPMAN
Thanks a lot for starting that petition. I have shared it as much as I can.

ROLLONTHESUMMER
This is brilliant !!

"I’m looking at my colleagues and much to my surprise

They all require improvement and then I realise

I’m looking through Nicky Morgan’s eyes"

Take that Morgan !

[lettysmith21]

I think this idea is just completed ridiculous. Forcing schools into becoming academics! I used to be a school governor, and we, as a board decided academy status was not right for our students and staff. Also, why take parent governors away from schools? It's bad enough that you now have to apply for the position, rather than ask parents to pick a candidate! Academies can sack staff that have worked hard in these schools, and employ unqualified teachers who have experience in the field they will be teaching? I have experience in childcare, but couldn't teach it!! This makes me so mad, and also makes me glad that my son is half way through his school life. What ever happened to putting children first? As for parents having more input, I really do believe parents will have less, and that they are being taken for a ride.

[Mner]

Justine I don't understand why Mumsnet can't take a stand on a highly controversial proposal not backed up by evidence that could have a detrimental affect on so many of our children.

What about asking the shadow education secretary for a web chat or the ofsted chair. Or is there someone in the House of Lords we could talk to? Someone who would actually engage with us!

[Valentine2]

Mner
That's a great idea! Mumsnet can invite Lucy Powell to come and engage with us. It will be lovely to have someone who can actually then talk about it in the parliament (and probably shame Nocky Morgan for failing to turn up and produce data).
Just as nlondondad pointed out here, it might be that the opposition needs help getting their focus back on other issues too 🤔
MNHQ:
So how about Lucy Powell?
And may be heads of departments of education from Cambridge and UCL?

[rollonthesummer]

I agree-can we get the shadow education person or SOMEONE to do a webchat who might listen?!

[MuddhaOfSuburbia]

I'm wondering (naively?) if this was one of the govt's toe in the water/diversionary things, which they'll park for a bit? -hence the lack of media scrutiny from all sides

I mean, it came out just before the Budget and looked like a smokescreen for the disability benefits cuts- I thought they might well backpedal on the acadamies one while they pushed the disability one through

in the meantime, the IDS/Osborne thing has blown up in a possibly unanticipated manner, now they're all occupied with that?

this govt does have form on the Look Over There bullshit strategy

[curluponthesofa]

Mner that's a great suggestion. Another Guest post as a response to Nicky Morgan's? (As it looks extremely unlikely we'll get her to engage with us.)

[Mner]

Thank you Come on MNHQ, get us someone who might help!

[appieclappie]

There are protests around the country tomorrow – Hands Off Our Schools. This is London info, but there are details for other parts of the country as well. antiacademies.org.uk/2016/03/2485/ Also, I wrote an article from an American's experience of academy schools. Please read it, share it. It's an apartheid system. saynotoacademyschools.blogspot.co.uk/

[BridgetChapman]

I'm chair of the Anti-Academies Alliance and we'd be happy to provide someone for a webchat or a guest post. Please note that we are not against the children who go to academies, the teachers who work in them, or the parents who send their kids to one. But we have serious concerns about moving schools from local democratic oversight and support and into the control of unaccountable and undemocratic private organisations. We think that we have given away around £10 billion worth of land and buildings so far (I admit this is a very rough calculation because it is difficult to get the land and building value figures from the government) and that is just the tip of the iceberg as, so far, only about 20% of schools have opted for academy status. Once these community assets have been transferred there is no legal mechanism to get them back. It is the complete dismantling of state education and there is no way the government should be able to push this through without a proper examination of the evidence. Once again I'd like to thank all the Mumsnetters for their supportive comments. There are a lot of teachers watching this thread! All the best, Bridget

[JustineMumsnet]

@Mner

Justine I don't understand why Mumsnet can't take a stand on a highly controversial proposal not backed up by evidence that could have a detrimental affect on so many of our children.

What about asking the shadow education secretary for a web chat or the ofsted chair. Or is there someone in the House of Lords we could talk to? Someone who would actually engage with us!

We ran this post at the same time as Nicky Morgan's one. But we can certainly ask an expert on to give their view - maybe as a webchat given there's so many specific questions been raised.

[LittlehamHums]

TRANSLATION OF NICKY'S LETTER - from a parent of children in an academy

As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want to make sure they have access to the best opportunities (some better than others).

I want to patronise you by talking about academisation and this letter is a boring task I have to fulfill so that it can achieved as quickly as possible. Now I will bullshit a bit about trusting the teachers. Academies give schools greater autonomy to make decisions whether parents, teachers and children like them or not. Because there will be no appeal to a Local Authority if it turns to sxxt. More bullshit.

I can quote percentages. We don't want parents to have an active role so I'm just going to lie through my teeth. I want to save money and the rest is an afterthought in our education system.

I like talking about dynamic white papers. I'm going to write a guarantee on the white paper too. More bullshit about active roles for parents.

The school system is too complex for many parents (don't worry your poor little heads about it). Our Online Parents Portal will keep you harmlessly amused. Alongside this, we have changed the curriculum AGAIN! This includes stretching the most able pupils (have you got a hat to eat Nicky?)

More young people will also study the EBacc (cue patronising explanation) whether it suits them or not. It will set a new SHINY international gold standard.

blah, blah, blah, heard it all before.
By Nicky Morgan

Twit: @NickyMorgan007

[Mner]

Justine I saw that web chat and it was useful but (no offence intended to him) a headteacher on their own is not someone who can change policy. We need someone higher up who can answer our questions and push for change.

I think given Lucy Powell has tweeted the link to this thread, she'd be idea.

[Mner]

*ideal

[Josiegrosie1983]

I am a teacher. No teacher I know particularly wants to work for an academy as most seem to ignore the original LA agreements with the teachers unions so many of us have lost some of the terms and conditions schools and unions have had to adhere to. I feel like all of this is a smoke screen to cover the real issues in education. A record number of teachers are leaving, our pensions have been changed and we have expected to agree quietly, with a half hearted attempt of one day of strikes about 3 years ago. More and more onus on schools to "close the gap" between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils (what about the failing parents???), the pressure of marking and targets for pay progression quietly getting accepted. What about the fact the government have decided to change GCSEs grading, all curriculums scrapped but barely none of the new curriculums been accredited. How are we supposed to plan our following years long term plan?? I have been a science teacher for 8/9 years. I have always been rated as outstanding in my practice and have been both just a classroom teacher as well as a middle leader. My partner is a teacher of another subject and even he cannot believe my workload. This week I have already done an all nighter and worked until half one in the morning to get everything done. Not healthy or sustainable. I have decided to leave teaching as I am fed up with my life being tinkered with and it is a shame because I love teaching and working with young people, but I have had enough. The tides are turning, it used to only really be average or not great teachers who generally left whilst still quite young, but now the best teachers who love the idea of being a teacher are leaving. Nobody mentions class size, number of teaching hours, time for marking, time for admin for teachers when government are trying to promote what they are doing to schools. In my eyes, in the last 5 years nearly every statement the government has issued regarding teaching has been bad news. Someone please help save my life career that I'm giving up age 32!

[rollonthesummer]

If you read the TES forums-especially the workplace dilemmas one-the posts generally go something like this...

Q. Please help me-my school/Head/SMT is trying to do x, y, z to me and I don't want them to! Are they allowed to do this!?

A. Do you work in an academy?

Q. Yes.

A. Oh dear-you're screwed then.

If the answer is 'No'-then a lot more can be done to help.


I rather suspect that if we all become academies, every single thread on the TES will be like this. They will be written by teachers who have had their pay/pension/work life balance/career/pay progression or working conditions totally screwed over and there will be nothing they can do about it.

[LineyReborn]

Josie, interesting point you raise about 'failing parents'. The Government's ideology and policies seem wildly conflicted on this.

[LittlehamHums]

I sometimes think that teachers have to be more like social workers. How does changing a school into an academy help? The children at my local school are still the same whether you call it an academy or not.