Grammar school turned academy

[JemimaButtons]

Hi, there's a Grammar school that I had always envisioned DS going to. It was rated "outstanding" by Ofsted in the past.

It has recently been turned into an Academy. What does this mean?

I'm not English, and have only just got to grips with the English Primary system (KS1, KS2 etc) and the secondary system in our county (11+, grammars and comprehensives), so this change has completely thrown me!

Thank you for your help!

Not certain, but I think it means nothing you need to worry about.

Academies have more autonomy than LA controlled schools.

My DD's comp turned in to an academy a few years ago and I have seen zero differences.

It means they control more of their budget. Cynically, I'd suggest it means they no longer have to pay into yhe LEA pot for services they don't use. SEN stuff, for example.
It will have very little effect for your child. Unless someone fucks up magnificently. Which is jokey, but not totally unheard of.

Unlikely.
Not jokey.
Weird, weird 'phone.

Lots of the grammar schools around here have become academies so they have more autonomy.

Add to that, a number of high achieving schools haven't shown up on the league tables recently because they do iGCSEs for some subjects.

Thank you so much for the replies. So basically, probably, it doesn't really affect us, and we should still apply if he passes his 11+?

Thanks

You could try asking opinions about the specific school.

Is there just the one grammar school in your area, or only one you are interested in?

Our local grammar schools have become academies and they just have more control over their budget. We haven't seen anything different in results as yet, I think they're two years in.

watch for the monogrammed chairs and fancy new SLT titles that come with £20k pay rises

Monogrammed chairs? I can see that going down well as a fundraiser in some schools! (With pfb's initials!)

Is that really happening anywhere, TalkingPeace? (Assume you mean with teachers' names)

yegods lovethatname no the monogram is of the school : making then unsaleable andpretentious_
the cost was the same as an annual NQT salary
but the head and the SLT seemed to have taller ones ... thrones, no, no, no

They have more control on their budget so you would have to trust they would spend it wisely.
ROTFLMAOPMPL
I'm an auditor
I've put people in jail
without TIGHT oversight, all is shite

Ooh, can they go to prison for having monogrammed thrones? Please?

nothing to worry about
All secondary schools in our borough including grammmars have chosen to become academies a couple of years ago

If the school seems fine for your DS in every other way then you should apply as being an academy is not in itself anything to be worried about. Happy well taught children and efficient management is what you are looking for whatever system the school is in.

Good luck to your DS!

We have 4 GS on our area. 3 have turned in to academies in the last few years. DD attends a GS that is now an academy. We have not noticed a difference.

My daughters school is a grammar and also an academy. While some schools were academised because they were failing at the other end good schools were also given the opportunity. All six of our school choices were academies.

Thank you all for the info. You've put my mind at rest. Apart from the monogrammed chairs although maybe I could get some for the house...?

Thanks!

Son's grammar is an academy- it's a budget thing from what I can see.