School contemplating becoming an Academy, any experiences?

[Horsemad]

Grammar school, considering becoming an Academy. Have you experienced this?

My dcs school became an academy over a year ago. No differences at all.

The school I work in has been an Academy for a year. I wasn't there before but I am told by staff (and I believe them) that it hasn't changed.

DS1's school has also become an academy and has also pledged no change.

Neither is a grammar btw. Don't know if that makes any difference?

Mine went Academy last year.

No changes here (name not changed either).

The 'new' acadamies don't tend to change in the first instance. Trouble is, when they do decide to, you can't stop the changes that may be detrimental. If you "aren't intending to change anything" it rather begs the question why accept a cheap bribe to jump on Gove's bandwagon ?

back in our area it's a case of the council not providing the best services so we can now choose where we source services from.

And schools can change certain things when they like, doesn't have to be when they're academies...

Back - that's kind of how I feel! Not sure why, but my gut feeling is that academies are Bad. I think it's because all the schools I've known that have changed are what I'd call less than desirable.

Our school has quoted that 'nothing will change' - hmm, so why bother then????

Not convinced!

hmm, but if the council/LA isn't retaining them, where exactly are you going to source them from ?

They can change some things when not acadamies, yes, but not things like terms and conditions of the staff, term dates, school hours (within a certain reasonable limit)

Our school changed because they say they will get "significant extra funding". It is an outstanding school, which is known for the excellent leadership.

My DD's grammar school became an academy last year. The LA was not particularly supportive of the school and we are very happy with the Head and have no particular criticism of the governing body. I think they acted in the best interests of the school.

If it was a school were I thought the Head was dodgy, funds had potential of being misused and the governors were too weak or disinterested to know what was really going on; or there were no systems of checks and balances on the finances and the activitiy of the leadership team, then I would have serious concerns.

Only change here has been that they are using some of the extra income to invest in more Maths teaching (for the high level children - to push them towards A* and also close the transition gap a little bit for those wanting to do A level) and more English teaching/intervention which is aimed to help those currently struggling. No uniform change or name change.

My DD's school has recently changed to an Academy by merging with another school. Not what anyone in our area wanted but it went ahead anyway. New uniform and a new build, which is being held up at the moment by a minority of protestors. As a result they are operating a split site system with all year groups in each school. From September Years 7 and 8 will be at one school and Years 9/10/11 at the other.

It's not ideal and very disruptive for the children. Apart from the 'physical' changes though things seem pretty much as they were. We will see what September brings

DCs school became an academy about a year ago. Nothing much has changed. Funding was the reason for the change. Also, that as so many Good/Outstanding schools were getting ready to change, they could see themselves losing out on access to central services.

Same here - dd's school changed to academy last year and no changes.

Yes but beingfluffy, just because the head is good now, and you're happy with the governors now, they won't be in charge for ever; then what?

If your school joins an academy chain company it will most definately change.

Mrslovely the school I was talking about was Tiffin Girls' and I don't think that is in danger. I think they jumped quickly to avoid some of their land being taken away by the LEA to build another school on it! It is not part of any chain and never likely to be.

You are quite right to be wary, my younger DD is at a school where the Head and the leadership are a law unto thermselves. They will become an academy next year when the school is moving into a new building (the most expensive ever built in the state sector). I am very worried about the checks and balances on the leadership, finances and everything else. Apart from anything else they have decided not to bring any furniture, pens or anything to the new building which I think is a shocking waste. Also EVERYONE has to buy new uniform - a package at about £240.