Compulsory Academies

[spanglechick]

The failing schools which turned into schools that aren't failing.

Well actually, some academies are failing. But also, there's nothing intrinsic about the new management being an academy that lead to that success. A LA team could have achieved the same.

And also, the metric used by OFSTED is all to shite anyway.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

I'm right on the land. If the school was previously a foundation school or a trust, they can sell the land. If they are a community school or an LA school that becomes an academy, they can only sell it if the LA agrees. People who say different are scaremongering, as a quick google points out.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

Well actually, some academies are failing. But also, there's nothing intrinsic about the new management being an academy that lead to that success. A LA team could have achieved the same.

And also, the metric used by OFSTED is all to shite anyway.

I know some academies are failing. I said it started out as a good policy.
I don't know much about Ofsted, but didn't mention them. Apparently the Tories want to get rid of Ofsted.

 

[spanglechick]

I know some academies are failing. I said it started out as a good policy.
I don't know much about Ofsted, but didn't mention them. Apparently the Tories want to get rid of Ofsted.

As soon as you say "failing" you mention OFSTED. OFSTED are the ppl that get to say whether a school is failing or improved. They set the scale. They take the measurements.


Why is it a good policy? Did no failing schools improve before the academy system (Adonis version) was introduced?

 

[wiskey]

The school I am a governor at joined with 4 other schools to become a Learning Cooperative Trust a few years ago to avoid becoming an academy.

We had a 3hr meeting about it last night.

At 5 schools we are smaller than Willshire's idea Multi Academy Trust group so if we don't want to be swallowed up by E-Act or Oasis etc then we need to join with other schools.

We'd like to be a cooperative MAT rather than business or religious overview, and we'd like to join with other local schools... So we just need to get talking.

None of us want this to happen. As the type of trust that we are already we share time/knowledge/resources together... It's useful being able to go to the LA for support though, I don't want to 'buy in' consultants.

We are (I think) the only school in the city which owns our land outright, the LA is not responsible for it. I don't know how that will change.

 

[ska invita]

Well actually, some academies are failing. But also, there's nothing intrinsic about the new management being an academy that lead to that success. A LA team could have achieved the same.

And also, the metric used by OFSTED is all to shite anyway.

I was just reading last night about how failing academies get money diverted to them from state schools...well, i guess at least that wont be able to happen if this passes

Owned. Including all the land they stand on.

With no lease? With no contract period?

I guess what im wondering is how hard it would be to take these back into state ownership...with the rail franchises they come up for renewal...does such an opportunity exist here?

 

[MarkyMarrk]

As soon as you say "failing" you mention OFSTED. OFSTED are the ppl that get to say whether a school is failing or improved. They set the scale. They take the measurements.


Why is it a good policy? Did no failing schools improve before the academy system (Adonis version) was introduced?

I didn't mention Ofsted. You clearly know what I meant better than I do. Thanks for correcting me.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

I was just reading last night about how failing academies get money diverted to them from state schools...well, i guess at least that wont be able to happen if this passes

Academies are state schools.

 

[ska invita]

Fucking disgrace. I think these Tories are worse than Thatcher's reign. Depressing as fuck.

 

[wiskey]

They already have a massive shortage of teachers. This is going to increase that problem tenfold.

Basically THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT EDUCATION. They want a cheap crap thing that drives down cost and by the time tthis shitty policy bears fruit, PigFucker and his mates will be long gone

But I was under the impression that to teach in an academy you don't actually have to have studied education or teaching... Or is that wrong

 

[MarkyMarrk]

But I was under the impression that to teach in an academy you don't actually have to have studied education or teaching... Or is that wrong

I think that's true.
I don't understand how that is supposed to make schools better.

 

[stethoscope]

As per usual, you won't get an honest discussion out of MarkyMarrk.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

What have I said that's dishonest?

 

[spanglechick]

But I was under the impression that to teach in an academy you don't actually have to have studied education or teaching... Or is that wrong

That's any school now. You don't even need a degree.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

That's any school now. You don't even need a degree.

Really?
Is this common now?
Hang on, so I could just apply for a job as a teacher? This is nuts.

 

[spanglechick]

I didn't mention Ofsted. You clearly know what I meant better than I do. Thanks for correcting me.

What definition of "failing school" were you using, then? Or "improved".

 

[spanglechick]

Really?
Is this common now?
Hang on, so I could just apply for a job as a teacher? This is nuts.

It's not common, but with the teaching shortage, it's becoming more so.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

What definition of "failing school" were you using, then? Or "improved".

Ones with terrible results. We had some near here. I think all the schools that were terrible became academies. Then really good ones did. Then all the others. We have better schools than 10 years ago by miles.

 

[stethoscope]

Really?
Is this common now?
Hang on, so I could just apply for a job as a teacher? This is nuts.

Academies are 'a good policy', as evidenced by failing schools no longer failing. You said.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

Technically you can get one of the lesser teaching qualifications.

You certainly don't need a full PGCE and they may get someone with industry experiance and try to get them a qual as CPD

 

[MarkyMarrk]

Academies are 'a good policy', as evidenced by failing schools no longer failing. You said.

I said it started out a good policy. It meant that schools that had failed for years and years and years were not allowed to carry on failing. This was a good thing for the families near us.
It was for the reason that the schools near us were terrible that my parents sent me quite a way to school, and saved all they could to do so and not send me to the local comprehensive. I would probably go there if it was now.

 

[Treacle Toes]

I do think that the Academies programme under Lord Andrew Adonis was revolutionary in driving up standards. It started out as a good policy.

Oh good god Who are you?...I mean really?

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

A lot of these acadamies seems to be teacher meat grinders. they set brutal targets and timetables and just burn people out.

same model as other industries where the people in them care about the thing they are doing.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

Oh good god Who are you?...I mean really?

One of our most popular policies from focus groups and opinion polls back then. We correctly judged that the interests of the pupils came ahead of the interests of the far left elements in the teaching unions.

You can criticise all you like, but closing failing schools and taking them away from LA control was a good policy. Having the schools carry on failing their kids generation after generation was wrong.

 

[spanglechick]

Ones with terrible results. We had some near here. I think all the schools that were terrible became academies. Then really good ones did. Then all the others. We have better schools than 10 years ago by miles.

"Results" meaning...?

 

[butchersapron]

I said it started out a good policy. It meant that schools that had failed for years and years and years were not allowed to carry on failing. This was a good thing for the families near us.
It was for the reason that the schools near us were terrible that my parents sent me quite a way to school, and saved all they could to do so and not send me to the local comprehensive. I would probably go there if it was now.

Probably. Amazing that the labour govt managed to do that. I mean, given the age that you pretend to be and all that.

 

[mentalchik]

OMG...who is this knobhead ?

 

[Ceej]

Where to start.
In Camden. we have the distinction of being one of the few boroughs were no schools have concerted - one or two fre schools and academies have sprung up, but none have turned, because basically Camden are a good LA who have always prioritised education, particularly EYFS. The new schools set their own admissions criteria, so forget it if you have learning difficulties, SEN or a disability - you cost too much, so jog on. This is already putting an unfair burden on state schools finances and resources as they have a disproportionate number of children needing additional support.

I think that everyone who works in education in any capacity should work to rule - teachers, your 32.5 directed hours a week, PPA confined to your PPA time, support staff just 25 hours a week for your miserly wages, and leaders and senior staff should do the same. The entire system turns on the goodwill and dedication of the staff - the system would collapse in a month if everyone worked to rule - and they'd get paid and wouldn't be taking 'industrial action' as such, so no opportunities to slag us all off in the press. Yes, there would be a price to pay for the children, but how much higher if they get their way.
We are so screwed.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

One of our most popular policies from focus groups and opinion polls back then. We correctly judged that the interests of the pupils came ahead of the interests of the far left elements in the teaching unions.

You can criticise all you like, but closing failing schools and taking them away from LA control was a good policy. Having the schools carry on failing their kids generation after generation was wrong.

Sounds like complete arse to me. how were these far left elements anti pupil?

strangely enough teachers y'know want students to do well. they just often also want decent conditions from themselves.

 

[spanglechick]

One of our most popular policies from focus groups and opinion polls back then. We correctly judged that the interests of the pupils came ahead of the interests of the far left elements in the teaching unions.

You can criticise all you like, but closing failing schools and taking them away from LA control was a good policy. Having the schools carry on failing their kids generation after generation was wrong.

"Our" "we"...? Who are you speaking on behalf of, here?