Schools ..... Stay local authority led or become an academy?????
- Thread starter 1964meb
- Start date
1964meb
pfm Member
Not yet Bob!
They are having 'exploratory conversations' about the potential to become an academy linked to another more successful school.
The governing body and senior Management are all for it.
I am less convinced to say the least but wish to hear other peoples views especially if they really know this stuff.
V. Concerned
Mike
The school my daughters attended became an academy. It was already an outstanding school in the Ofsted. The majority of parents voted against. The governors in true democratic style ignored them. The reasons amongst others we were against were less inclusive and the long term budget management. I would estimate two thirds of parents would have been Tory voters so not just a protest.
RichardH
Bodging pleb
I am a governor at a secondary school that reluctantly chose to become a (stand alone) academy due to seeing the way the wind was blowing and deciding to do it while there was still fundinmg available to assist with the legal costs etc.
Academies don't HAVE to become less inclusive - that's down to the school itself to decide. The extra responsibility of managing the budgets/paying for services previously supplied by the LEA etc may be a problem, particularly in a smaller school, but if you're being partnered with another academy some of that weight may get taken up by them. I really fear for the small primary schools in particular in this regard, and worry they will get swallowed up by large groups and then "rationalised".
We have found that the LEA has ended up good value for the services we now have to do for ourselves (payroll, internet access etc), so have ended up using them for certain things - the difference being that we're paying for these things directly rather than through the top slicing.
It really depends on what the relationship between your school and the school you're teaming up is like. However, I have a nasty suspicion that schools are going to get forced into these sorts of relationships, so it may be the lesser of two evils to do it while you have some element of choice about who you partner with.
Academies don't HAVE to become less inclusive - that's down to the school itself to decide. The extra responsibility of managing the budgets/paying for services previously supplied by the LEA etc may be a problem, particularly in a smaller school, but if you're being partnered with another academy some of that weight may get taken up by them. I really fear for the small primary schools in particular in this regard, and worry they will get swallowed up by large groups and then "rationalised".
We have found that the LEA has ended up good value for the services we now have to do for ourselves (payroll, internet access etc), so have ended up using them for certain things - the difference being that we're paying for these things directly rather than through the top slicing.
It really depends on what the relationship between your school and the school you're teaming up is like. However, I have a nasty suspicion that schools are going to get forced into these sorts of relationships, so it may be the lesser of two evils to do it while you have some element of choice about who you partner with.
Greg
2t5b
were parents given a vote or just invited to comment?
seagull
Seabird flavour member
I used to be a governor of a junior school. For smaller schools it makes little sense due to the extra administration costs etc. unless these could be shared between the two schools.
The LEA were very supportive of the school and the services they provided were very good value for money.
However, some things must be provided by the LEA's preferred suppliers who were often expensive and not particularly good.
So it's swings and roundabouts really, you have to look at the bigger picture.
The LEA were very supportive of the school and the services they provided were very good value for money.
However, some things must be provided by the LEA's preferred suppliers who were often expensive and not particularly good.
So it's swings and roundabouts really, you have to look at the bigger picture.
1964meb
pfm Member
Thank so far folks.
The other school is soooooo different to ours. It's catchment is upper middle class wealthy professional etc. I am unsure they can 'help' us with our kiddies.
I am also worried about the stealthy change of staff to 'academy contracts' that can precede compulsory Saturday moring sessions and or compulsory lessons until 6 pm.
M
The other school is soooooo different to ours. It's catchment is upper middle class wealthy professional etc. I am unsure they can 'help' us with our kiddies.
I am also worried about the stealthy change of staff to 'academy contracts' that can precede compulsory Saturday moring sessions and or compulsory lessons until 6 pm.
M
cutting42
Arrived at B4 Hacker Ergo
All the decent schools in my area are academies or private. The academy status does give them a lot more freedom to control admissions and spend money as they prefer.
It really depends if you trust the school management/governors/head. If they are doing a good job in the LEA they will probably do a good job outside. They will still be accountable legally and to the governors so they have to still perform.
My kids schools seem to have a lot more money to spend of facilities, books, trips etc than many others so at least they use it more efficiently.
My experience is very good so I vote yes. Both my kids schools are amongst the best in the country (state) and offer a very balanced education with excellent pastoral care (my sons school is the county specialist in whatever they call special needs these days) as well as very high academic performance.
It really depends if you trust the school management/governors/head. If they are doing a good job in the LEA they will probably do a good job outside. They will still be accountable legally and to the governors so they have to still perform.
My kids schools seem to have a lot more money to spend of facilities, books, trips etc than many others so at least they use it more efficiently.
My experience is very good so I vote yes. Both my kids schools are amongst the best in the country (state) and offer a very balanced education with excellent pastoral care (my sons school is the county specialist in whatever they call special needs these days) as well as very high academic performance.