Academies agenda gathering momentum again?

[LeMarchand]

Mark Steel's view :

 

[url/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/thank-god-our-schools-have-finally-been-set-free-by-our-national-free-spirit-george-osborne-a6937016.html]Mark Steel - Thank God our schools have finally been liberated by our national free spirit George Osborne[/url]

 

(Tip: Read it - not just the headline!)

 

I read it 18 posts ago!

[sparkeh]

Proposals in trouble? 1922 Committee are now involved threatening backbench revolt

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/apr/02/backbench-pressure-on-osborne-academy-scheme

Edited April 2, 2016 by sparkeh

[sparkeh]

Labour seeking cross party alliance to block academies bill: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/apr/04/labour-help-tory-backbenchers-block-academies-drive Edited April 4, 2016 by sparkeh

[Geoff]

Another Op Ed in the Guardian.

 

Dear Nicky Morgan: so much for freeing schools from ?government diktats? | Michael Rosen | Education | The Guardian

[Ephelyon]

I've just posted this submission to a Labour Policy Commission on the topic of enforced Academisation. It's actually responding to this one, but I wanted it to go through as a submission in its own right, not just a comment.

 

Yes, yes, it reveals my name... but to be honest I've been finding myself less and less concerned with that in recent years. I can always make a throwaway account if I need to discuss things anonymously, after all.

[LeMarchand]

I've just posted this submission to a Labour Policy Commission on the topic of enforced Academisation.

 

Thanks for the post. I've always wondered why the heck Labour ever started the Academy Program and now I can see that it was one of those plans that had great ideals but totally failed to account for the venal nature of many of the people who would be involved in the process.

[localzuk]

I've just posted this submission to a Labour Policy Commission on the topic of enforced Academisation. It's actually responding to this one, but I wanted it to go through as a submission in its own right, not just a comment.

 

Yes, yes, it reveals my name... but to be honest I've been finding myself less and less concerned with that in recent years. I can always make a throwaway account if I need to discuss things anonymously, after all.

 

A very measured and sensible submission. It is often the case though that policies become "all or nothing" due to vested interested - someone sees a way to make some money and the initial idea gets ruined through implementation.

 

I fear that the academy status genie can't be put back in the bottle without wholesale reversal of course - bring schools back under control of an authority. What could then be done is schools could be given a administrative status that allowed the things that helps them improve - custom curriculum, different opening hours, flexibility in pay scales etc... Why do such schools need a separate legal status? Why can't it just be something administrative, much like "cheque book schools" were?

[Andrew_C]

Why can't it just be something administrative, much like "cheque book schools" were?

Because Nasty Party donors can't make money out of them? Or is that too simplistic?

[mikeprice]

Because Nasty Party donors can't make money out of them? Or is that too simplistic?

 

No - I don't think it is - getting less and less impressed with Uncle David - and I never trusted him in the first place

[sparkeh]

Why do such schools need a separate legal status? Why can't it just be something administrative, much like "cheque book schools" were?

To make it a hell of a lot more difficult to reverse the changes I should imagine.

[sparkeh]

Well this is an interesting nugget from an article in The Guardian:

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education rejected all the criticisms. “No schools will close as a result of academisation and it is irresponsible to suggest they will,” she said. “Many of these schools will choose to work together in multi-academy trusts [MATs] allowing them to share resources, staff and expertise to drive up standards, and, in many cases, better support their sustainability. Successful, sustainable schools will not be forced to join a MAT.”

 

source: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/apr/12/village-schools-at-risk-from-tory-reforms

Edited April 13, 2016 by sparkeh

[mthomas08]

Well this is an interesting nugget from an article in The Guardian:

 

Yes it is an interesting article. I do like the part of:

"Many of these schools will choose to work together in multi-academy trusts [MATs] allowing them to share resources, staff and expertise to drive up standards, and, in many cases, better support their sustainability"

 

I really do like that part. Last time I got told that, there was a ton of redundancies, manipulation, scheming and general denial of what was happening. While certain individuals were given big promotions and pay rises. The term "work together" was in fact "take over".

 

Still, I'm sure it doesn't include every MAT.

[Love_Sausage]

Our Business manager was told by some minion in the DfE that is dealing with academisation that becoming part of a MAT meant that your funding would be reduced due to the savings you were expected to then make. I.e. cutting staff.

[sparkeh]

More Tories speaking out about the plan: Tory backbenchers challenge compulsory academy plan - BBC News

 

With mounting opposition, surely the plan can't go ahead in its current form?

[CyberNerd]

With mounting opposition, surely the plan can't go ahead in its current form?

 

Probably not in it's current form - that's politics: ask for something insane and then make some minor concessions around parental governance whilst still getting the pay/teaching quality oversight away from LA's.

[sparkeh]

Summary of where we are at: Will English school academy plan actually happen? - BBC News

 

Interesting reading, its not done and dusted yet...

[LeMarchand]

Summary of where we are at: Will English school academy plan actually happen? - BBC News

 

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is set to make a public commitment the plan won't result in school closures. She has written to every Conservative MP to say six years will be enough time for schools to make plans.

 

Could this be because various people have already got companies set up to run conversions and/or take over as academy heads?

[sparkeh]

Could this be because various people have already got companies set up to run conversions and/or take over as academy heads?

Ooh you cynic

 

As time goes on, my belief increases that this won't happen. There's too much opposition from within the Tory party itself. With a small majority and an open season on challenging the leadership I predict some weaslely climb down ahead. Of course the chances of Cambourne still being at the helm after the referendum seem to be reducing by the week. Who knows what's ahead!

 

Its quite fun watching the Tory party self destruct (again).

[zag]

One of the reasons the government is doing this is to take away control from the local LEA's and also financial support.

 

Another one is to weaken the unions "collective bargaining" methods I guess.

[sparkeh]

Government now looking for wiggle room? Or maybe a face saving way out of this debacle?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36064176

Edited April 17, 2016 by sparkeh

[sparkeh]

Anyone hear a particularly evasive Nicky Morgan on 5 Live this morning?

 

When challenged on Tory MPs speaking out against the plans she could only say that important points had been raised and she would work with colleagues on the white paper. When challenged on evidence about the impact of academisation she eschewed the normal statistics they trot out for a vague answer about 'international evidence'.

 

It was interesting not to hear the usual, bullish nonsense she comes out with to be replaced with vague, fluffy avoidances. Perhaps the rumours about the government being genuinely shocked by the opposition to their plans is true.

[localzuk]

I'd love to see the international evidence. I've yet to find any that supports it beyond political posturing.

[sparkeh]

I'd love to see the international evidence. I've yet to find any that supports it beyond political posturing.

Indeed, it was a weak answer. Very interesting that the usual stats she loves to quote were dropped.

 

The interviewer asked her a few times if she thought she could get the bill, as it stood, though parliament. She couldn't answer beyond stating that there was widespread support for academies.

 

Current speculation is that if the bill appears in the Queen's speech then they will press ahead and try and alter the bill to get it through. If it doesn't then it means its been kicked into the long grass...

[PotNoodleTech]

The only real good idea in there is that new formula of funding direct to schools.

[CyberNerd]

The only real good idea in there is that new formula of funding direct to schools.

 

Lets see how that one plays out shall we. My money is on the Tory controlled rural schools getting the benefits at the expense of the Labour controlled inner city areas.