Every school to be an academy?

[CamboricumMinor]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35814215

Apparently this is expected in tomorrow's budget. I'm sure this isn't going to be a good move for school staff but what about the children? I'm not convinced at all.

Ids resigned.

Worth a read about the ownership of school land under Academy status. Be prepared for more playing fields to be built on:
michaelrosenblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/who-owns-academies-have-we-been-robbed.html?m=1

Just saw this, neatly explaining Osbourne's philosophy

Worth a read about the ownership of school land under Academy status

No it isn't. It is wildly inaccurate. If an academy closes the land will normally revert to public ownership. If it is not required for public ownership the academy trust can by the land at its full commercial value at the time of purchase.

The allegations about ARK and the Cayman islands are also inaccurate.

Well I respond with actual evidence that Academies DO NOT DO BETTER

You respond with anecdotal evidence. I can point to academic research studies.

Academisation is not a silver bullet that will solve all the problems in education. Some academies will fail just as some LA schools fail. But there is substantial evidence that the freedoms associated with academy status result in better performance overall. See, for example, studies sponsored by the OECD looking at the features common to high performing school systems. There is plenty more. I am not saying this research is conclusive but it is definitely there.

Prh47bridge - I am happy to be corrected if I have posted something inaccurate (unlike the government/Nicky Morgan, who keep repeating incorrect statistics on the success of academies vs LA schools...)
I think there are still many valid questions that have not been answered though. Why have they just pushed through a load of curriculum changes and new SPaG tests if Academies don't need to follow the curriculum? How much did those changes cost? How much will the whole Academisation process cost? How will entry criteria work? What about a cap on wages of Academy CEOs? And more.....

Why have they just pushed through a load of curriculum changes and new SPaG tests if Academies don't need to follow the curriculum?

That is one of the most useful questions I've seen in the entire debate - one I'll be asking, thanks!

Why have they just pushed through a load of curriculum changes and new SPaG tests if Academies don't need to follow the curriculum?

A cynic would say that as the changes were to raise rigour (with such ideas as not telling anyone the percentage mark to pass each grade), it would also make sure that school results would be seen to drop, schools would therefore be failing the children, this would put them in the failing schools bracket, meaning that they would be forced to become academies.

Yes, I suspect you're right, Boneybackjefferson!

Why have they just pushed through a load of curriculum changes

New policies sometimes render previous actions irrelevant. However, given that there is strong evidence that schools perform best when they have freedom over their own curriculum I think they should have given all schools that freedom. It may be, of course, that the Lib Dems stopped this from happening.

How much will the whole Academisation process cost

Labour reckons £700M. The government appears to think it will be £640M.

How will entry criteria work

Academies are subject to the Admissions Code. They can set their own admission criteria but the Code limits what they can do. They cannot, for example, introduce selection by academic ability. They must continue to prioritise LAC. And a school which is not currently a faith school cannot start selecting on faith grounds.

However, given that there is strong evidence that schools perform best when they have freedom over their own curriculum

If this is the case then why are schools still being held to the ebacc (or a version of it) in the schools league tables?

They don't have to follow the curriculum but they do have to do the sats tests so I'm.effect that becomes the curriculum! Soooo much time on spag abd maths and less arts and drama

prh47bridge

How will entry criteria work
Academies are subject to the Admissions Code. They can set their own admission criteria but the Code limits what they can do. They cannot, for example, introduce selection by academic ability. They must continue to prioritise LAC. And a school which is not currently a faith school cannot start selecting on faith grounds.

You say this (and officially it is correct) but I know of many academies that have been able to get around this.

G1raffe

And less Technology.

I am so thankful that my children have passed through the system but so sorry for those who have to be the guinea pigs for the proposed mess. I can't believe that this is going to be done to our education system.

BoneyBackJefferson , lots of council schools (and parents) have found ways to subvert the admissions process. Academies wont be any different.

The Arts, and Techonlogy, can still be serviced by Free Schools, and Studio Schools though, can't they?
Where the curriculum works towards alternative qualifications - not just the GCSE's but NCFE's, OCR's, BTECs etc.

My DC's academy does BTEC's in STEM and has thriving dance/drama department, all whilst striving for good academic results. It doesn't get the level in the league tables that private schools get but I think most parents understand that's because it takes children that are less academically inclined.

I guess the sponsor takes a cut we actually get to see what the sponsor adds to the school, the council never added squat and top sliced the grant. I think a lot of people are focusing on the academy change but imo the big change coming will be the fair funding which will take a lot of money out of a lot of 'affluent' schools. Prepare for the screaming then.

I was meaning primary schools
They're only tested in maths and spag and so that's where most of the teaching is going. Our academy superhead explained it herself.... Mine is only yr2 but already they're squeezing out drama and other fun activities as the aim is yr 6 sats.

I don't like the new head / becoming an academy.

14 out of 47 studio schools have closed down, there are only 33 left.

schoolsweek.co.uk/closing-down-14th-studio-school-to-fold-leaving-just-33-open/

G1raffe There are plenty of Free Schools serving the primary sector, too - and many have a creative arts or language focus.

PrettyBrightFireflies
"The Arts, and Techonlogy, can still be serviced by Free Schools, and Studio Schools though, can't they?"

Not everyone has access to a free or studio school, besides the government keeps banging on about the importance of STEM (or STEAM depending on area) yet they are removing 2 of the main components.

Bolognese

As you point out a BTEC etc. won't count towards the league tables and it is also worth noting that they still require a a large amount of money put in to the subject area to get the results.

Not everyone has access to a free or studio school

Not yet - but there in no suggestion in the White Paper that the free school programme is being scrapped - indeed, the proposals for MAT's create a greater distinction between free schools and academies than there is now.

Free schools will still be able to be set up and run locally, with a specific ethos or focus. With so many disallusioned teachers leaving the LA and Academy sector, Free Schools may attract the best qualified teachers, too.

I don't want them to attend a school.with a specific focus, I want drama and art and creativity to be a normal part of every primary school! Or even as it was a few years ago. I dont want it to be squeezed out in order to cram for meaningless sats.