Experiences of becoming and academy.

[PrincessJuanita]

Hi! We have a "special meeting" tomorrow, the rumour is that we're about to become an academy. Can anybody share your experiences with me please?? I'm crossing my fingers that some people have had positive experiences as I'm stressing out a bit. Thanks!

Probably depends if you're joining a MAT and which one. My school converted (not a MAT) and nothing changed at all - just means we're off the Ofsted radar for a while!

It depends.

I've been on stand alone academies where there was no difference at all and LA / Burgundy book conditions were kept.

I've been in stand alone ones who have set up their own small MAT made up of local schools. Again same as above.

I've been in schools swallowed by a larger MAT and it was what the school needed. We lost some of our less effective senior leaders. Lots changed operationally but it was needed.

Other schools I know have been eaten by MATs who are more concerned with empire building, their MAT way and were very corporate.

It depends on the leadership and culture (and if being taken over by a large MAT whether existing school leaders stay or there's an ousting of leadership for MAT yes men)