1. Registration
Firstly fill out an online registration form. The Department will contact you directly with further guidance and documentation. The person who contacts you will be your named support throughout the process. All schools must register using the online form before they can start stage 2.
2.Application to convert/eligibility checks
Submit a short application to convert form to your named DfE contact including the confirmation of a governing body resolution, the agreement of your foundation (if applicable) and confirmation of your outstanding rating from Ofsted. You will also discuss your in-principle agreement to support another school to help raise standards. The Secretary of State will confirm whether he is content for your school to proceed to the next stage.
3. Funding agreement
The Department will support your school to ensure all legal documents are completed relating to governance, land transfer and company registration. The Secretary of State will make an academy order and request the local authority to cease to maintain the school. This is subject to the successful passage of legislation. The current employer of the school staff will carry out a consultation on the transfer of staff under TUPE.
4. Pre-opening
Your school will need to set up new financial systems and contractual arrangements, completing registrations and ensuring that all CRB checks are carried out as necessary.
read more on the process
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Academies Rule OK- Sarah Teather
On Sunday's blog I asked, "How long can (Sarah Teather) go along with undemocratic, cash grabbing academies and the 'shambles' of free schools?"
It didn't take long for her to respond! In a written answer published yesterday, as Minister of State for Children and Families, she said:
We will reform the school system so that children with special educational needs and disabilities get the best possible support. We will halt the unnecessary closure of special schools, improve diagnostic assessment for schoolchildren, and remove the bias towards inclusion. We have introduced legislation to make it possible, for the first time, for special schools to become academies. We are committed to offering special schools the additional freedoms that we are giving mainstream schools.
So it seems that she is going all the way with academies that she opposed back in 2007 and with 'free schools' that she dismissed as a 'shambles' during the General Election campaign. Added to that she appears to be suggesting that children with special needs and disabilities should not be integrated into mainstream schools.Umph!
read full blog
It didn't take long for her to respond! In a written answer published yesterday, as Minister of State for Children and Families, she said:
We will reform the school system so that children with special educational needs and disabilities get the best possible support. We will halt the unnecessary closure of special schools, improve diagnostic assessment for schoolchildren, and remove the bias towards inclusion. We have introduced legislation to make it possible, for the first time, for special schools to become academies. We are committed to offering special schools the additional freedoms that we are giving mainstream schools.
So it seems that she is going all the way with academies that she opposed back in 2007 and with 'free schools' that she dismissed as a 'shambles' during the General Election campaign. Added to that she appears to be suggesting that children with special needs and disabilities should not be integrated into mainstream schools.Umph!
read full blog
Government accepts academies should be subject to FOI Act
Schools minister Lord Hill of Oareford has confirmed that the government accepts academy schools should be public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act. In response to an amendment proposed by Lord Lucas during the committee stage of the Academies Bill, to add academy proprietors to Schedule 1 of the FOI Act, the minister said he supported the amendment in principle and promised to come back to the issue at report stage
see full Academy bill update
see full Academy bill update
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Academies Student Conference 2010
Thursday 8 July 2010, The Lancaster London Hotel
A free academies student conference will run in parallel on the first day and we are pleased to announce that due to popular demand HumanUtopia will be back.
Building on last year's hugely successful event they will be incorporating the second phase of their youth intervention programme - The Heroes Journey. The programme aims to break negative cycles in young lives and will be focusing on the importance of developing and sustaining healthy relationships through effective communication.
To register your students, please email Carolyn Henry or telephone 020 7802 2397 (SSAT).
Go to the SSAT website for more info
A free academies student conference will run in parallel on the first day and we are pleased to announce that due to popular demand HumanUtopia will be back.
Building on last year's hugely successful event they will be incorporating the second phase of their youth intervention programme - The Heroes Journey. The programme aims to break negative cycles in young lives and will be focusing on the importance of developing and sustaining healthy relationships through effective communication.
To register your students, please email Carolyn Henry or telephone 020 7802 2397 (SSAT).
Go to the SSAT website for more info
Monday, 28 June 2010
The government's academies bill was a hot topic at the latest Teaching awards ceremony
Teaching awards winners offer a view from the chalkface for the benefit of politicians and colleagues
The academies bill was perplexing some of Britain's best teachers last week, gathered at the British Museum for the London and the south-east regional Teaching Awards. Baroness Shirley Williams, chair of the UK judging panel, and, of course, a Lib Dem peer, asked for opinions at a special workshop, and there was little holding back.
How on earth could any school have decided already to apply for academy status, wondered an infants' school governor, when detail about the nitty gritty, including the actual cash involved, was hard to sleuth. "I find it baffling to hear that 1,700 schools have already applied," he said, his voice rising with incredulity. "How do they know?"
Ah, said Williams, there was an explanation for that... "The government has been a little bit naughty," she said. "You see, if you want to get the information about it, you've got to turn up." By which she meant that expressing an interest was the only way to find out details. So out of the 1,700 that Michael Gove, the education secretary, said had applied, "in many cases, all they are doing is asking for information," she explained.
Full article
http://bit.ly/bM8J0F
The academies bill was perplexing some of Britain's best teachers last week, gathered at the British Museum for the London and the south-east regional Teaching Awards. Baroness Shirley Williams, chair of the UK judging panel, and, of course, a Lib Dem peer, asked for opinions at a special workshop, and there was little holding back.
How on earth could any school have decided already to apply for academy status, wondered an infants' school governor, when detail about the nitty gritty, including the actual cash involved, was hard to sleuth. "I find it baffling to hear that 1,700 schools have already applied," he said, his voice rising with incredulity. "How do they know?"
Ah, said Williams, there was an explanation for that... "The government has been a little bit naughty," she said. "You see, if you want to get the information about it, you've got to turn up." By which she meant that expressing an interest was the only way to find out details. So out of the 1,700 that Michael Gove, the education secretary, said had applied, "in many cases, all they are doing is asking for information," she explained.
Full article
http://bit.ly/bM8J0F
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Sponsors of new academy in Norwich buy £34,000 of blazers, trousers and skirts for its 1,000-strong first intake
Pupils at a failing comprehensive are to be kitted out in Savile Row-tailored school uniforms and given lessons in etiquette in a move to improve standards when it reopens as an academy.
The sponsors of the new Ormiston Victory academy in Norwich have bought £34,000 worth of crest-emblazoned blazers, trousers and skirts for its 1,000-strong first intake, who will be encouraged to make polite conversation at mealtimes and be taught "excellent manners".
The academy will replace Costessey high school, twice placed in special measures in the last decade. The new uniform – designed by Savile Row tailor Thomas Mahon, who has previously worked as a cutter for bespoke suits worn by the Prince of Wales – is designed to create a smarter attitude, the academy's head, Rachel de Souza, said.
More..............
http://bit.ly/aBrs76
The sponsors of the new Ormiston Victory academy in Norwich have bought £34,000 worth of crest-emblazoned blazers, trousers and skirts for its 1,000-strong first intake, who will be encouraged to make polite conversation at mealtimes and be taught "excellent manners".
The academy will replace Costessey high school, twice placed in special measures in the last decade. The new uniform – designed by Savile Row tailor Thomas Mahon, who has previously worked as a cutter for bespoke suits worn by the Prince of Wales – is designed to create a smarter attitude, the academy's head, Rachel de Souza, said.
More..............
http://bit.ly/aBrs76
Friday, 25 June 2010
Labour attempts to stop legislation allowing academies to cherrypick pupils
The government's academies programme is a "Trojan horse for selection", the shadow schools secretary says today, as he tables an amendment to legislation that, if passed, would block academies from being allowed to cherrypick their pupils.
Ed Balls claims a mechanism he brought in to allow good schools to expand will now be used by the Tories to give grammar schools the right to do the same, in a "perversion" of the system.
His intervention comes the day after the government revealed the names of 1,700 schools that expressed interest in applying for academy status, after pressure from union leaders and campaigners. A total of the 97 grammar schools - 59% of all those in England - have asked the government for information.
Of the 870 "outstanding" schools on the list, who will be given the chance to convert and opt out of local authority control as soon as September, some 76 (9%) are grammar schools. Among the 830 other institutions that have asked the government for information, there are 21 grammars
More................
http://bit.ly/9lgfzW
Ed Balls claims a mechanism he brought in to allow good schools to expand will now be used by the Tories to give grammar schools the right to do the same, in a "perversion" of the system.
His intervention comes the day after the government revealed the names of 1,700 schools that expressed interest in applying for academy status, after pressure from union leaders and campaigners. A total of the 97 grammar schools - 59% of all those in England - have asked the government for information.
Of the 870 "outstanding" schools on the list, who will be given the chance to convert and opt out of local authority control as soon as September, some 76 (9%) are grammar schools. Among the 830 other institutions that have asked the government for information, there are 21 grammars
More................
http://bit.ly/9lgfzW
New plans to give schools freedom
The Government has announced plans for further freedoms for schools and colleges which will remove some of the "unnecessary bureaucracy", "layers of complexity" and "red tape" from the system.
Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, explained the plans which include allowing institutions to choose how many and which diploma subjects they will offer and stopping the development of the extended diploma.
Dr John Dunford, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), welcomed this decision, saying: "ASCL strongly supports diplomas but believes their complex structure can be simplified and this is a move in the right direction."
More.............
http://bit.ly/bfi8U6
Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, explained the plans which include allowing institutions to choose how many and which diploma subjects they will offer and stopping the development of the extended diploma.
Dr John Dunford, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), welcomed this decision, saying: "ASCL strongly supports diplomas but believes their complex structure can be simplified and this is a move in the right direction."
More.............
http://bit.ly/bfi8U6
Government lists schools that could become academies by September
Under pressure from staff and parent groups government releases names of 1,700 schools
The names of 1,700 schools that have asked the government about becoming academies was published by the department for education today.
The list is divided into those rated oustanding - who can apply for fast-track academy status that will let them convert by the start of the September term - and all the others who have expressed an interest.
It was published after ministers came under pressure from unions and anti-academy campaigners, who requested the information under Freedom of Information (FoI) laws.
They had said there was concern that staff and parents were being left in the dark, and not making the names public would show an "undemocratic" lack of openness and transparency.
More..........
http://bit.ly/aDhfUl
The names of 1,700 schools that have asked the government about becoming academies was published by the department for education today.
The list is divided into those rated oustanding - who can apply for fast-track academy status that will let them convert by the start of the September term - and all the others who have expressed an interest.
It was published after ministers came under pressure from unions and anti-academy campaigners, who requested the information under Freedom of Information (FoI) laws.
They had said there was concern that staff and parents were being left in the dark, and not making the names public would show an "undemocratic" lack of openness and transparency.
More..........
http://bit.ly/aDhfUl
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Gove to relax planning rules so disused buildings can become schools
Architects have given a cautious welcome to education secretary Michael Gove's announcement that he will relax planning rules to make it easier to turn derelict hospitals, shops and pubs into "free schools".
But they warned that myriad other regulations could halt the idea in its tracks, from health and safety to disability discrimination laws.
A forthcoming education bill will change the planning rules to permit the redesignation of commercial and residential buildings for use as schools. Gove hopes this will help parents who want to open schools in expensive inner city areas.
The RIBA said it was "broadly supportive" because of the work it would provide for architects and the carbon emissions that would be saved by retrofitting existing buildings.
Schools architect Brian Vermuelen, of Cottrell & Vermeulen, said: "It's a really interesting idea making it easier to recycle buildings, but beware the cost of adapting them.
More........
http://bit.ly/9Asbne
But they warned that myriad other regulations could halt the idea in its tracks, from health and safety to disability discrimination laws.
A forthcoming education bill will change the planning rules to permit the redesignation of commercial and residential buildings for use as schools. Gove hopes this will help parents who want to open schools in expensive inner city areas.
The RIBA said it was "broadly supportive" because of the work it would provide for architects and the carbon emissions that would be saved by retrofitting existing buildings.
Schools architect Brian Vermuelen, of Cottrell & Vermeulen, said: "It's a really interesting idea making it easier to recycle buildings, but beware the cost of adapting them.
More........
http://bit.ly/9Asbne
Governors warn against academies rush
Governors say schools in England are not being given the information they need to make a decision about whether to become academies this autumn.
The National Governors Association is telling its members to be cautious about opting out of local government control by becoming an academy.Ministers want to to fast track schools rated outstanding. Officials say schools do not need to feel pressured to make a decision.
Applications to leave local authority control by the autumn need to be submitted by the end of June.
full article
The National Governors Association is telling its members to be cautious about opting out of local government control by becoming an academy.Ministers want to to fast track schools rated outstanding. Officials say schools do not need to feel pressured to make a decision.
Applications to leave local authority control by the autumn need to be submitted by the end of June.
full article
Grammar schools wary of academy status
Grammar school heads have been warned off applying for academy status in the latest blow to the government's flagship education policy, it was revealed today.
The National Grammar Schools Association (NGSA) is advising extreme caution in view of the potential "covert dangers" of the policy, a week after Catholic schools were told by the church that it would be unwise for them to seek academy status.
The organisation's chairman, Robert McCartney QC, claimed the plans had not been thought through, and were an attempt by the Tories to appear non-elitist. If grammar schools – selective state schools of which there are around 164 in England – were to become academies, he said, parents might not be consulted about a subsequent decision to change admissions arrangements and let in pupils of all abilities.
full article
The National Grammar Schools Association (NGSA) is advising extreme caution in view of the potential "covert dangers" of the policy, a week after Catholic schools were told by the church that it would be unwise for them to seek academy status.
The organisation's chairman, Robert McCartney QC, claimed the plans had not been thought through, and were an attempt by the Tories to appear non-elitist. If grammar schools – selective state schools of which there are around 164 in England – were to become academies, he said, parents might not be consulted about a subsequent decision to change admissions arrangements and let in pupils of all abilities.
full article
Monday, 21 June 2010
Gove Launches School Revolution
ON THE 180th page of a daunting 398-sheet document, you will find the crippling regulations to which new schools must adhere before they are allowed to have so much as a single pupil walk through the door.
Astonishingly, these even include restrictive rules on what sort of cycle racks must be provided, how much space should be given to vertical and horizontal types, and the exact distance between the racks, down to the last millimetre.
New Education Secretary Michael Gove last week launched his schools revolution, with one of his first acts being to relieve them of the more ludicrous planning rules.
He will make it possible to convert existing buildings without applying for a costly and lengthy change of use which until now has stopped most projects in their tracks.
full article
Astonishingly, these even include restrictive rules on what sort of cycle racks must be provided, how much space should be given to vertical and horizontal types, and the exact distance between the racks, down to the last millimetre.
New Education Secretary Michael Gove last week launched his schools revolution, with one of his first acts being to relieve them of the more ludicrous planning rules.
He will make it possible to convert existing buildings without applying for a costly and lengthy change of use which until now has stopped most projects in their tracks.
full article
Sunday, 20 June 2010
The latest venture for a successful businessman? His own school
For Jon De Maria, a nearby derelict hospital represents an opportunity to plug an important gap in his local area's schooling
Jon De Maria, a self-employed business man, is one of hundreds of parents applying to set up his own school. Today, the government published the forms that parents, charities, teachers and others must fill in to do this. De Maria, together with 3,000 other parents, is intent on creating a new school near his home in Battersea, south London. He says when children come out of one of the three primary schools in his neighbourhood, they go to 49 different secondary schools, none of which are local.
Today, he is visiting possible sites for the new school, which he hopes will eventually take 650 pupils aged 11 to 16, with an extra 150 in the sixth form. A derelict hospital and an empty school building are two possibilities.
full article
Jon De Maria, a self-employed business man, is one of hundreds of parents applying to set up his own school. Today, the government published the forms that parents, charities, teachers and others must fill in to do this. De Maria, together with 3,000 other parents, is intent on creating a new school near his home in Battersea, south London. He says when children come out of one of the three primary schools in his neighbourhood, they go to 49 different secondary schools, none of which are local.
Today, he is visiting possible sites for the new school, which he hopes will eventually take 650 pupils aged 11 to 16, with an extra 150 in the sixth form. A derelict hospital and an empty school building are two possibilities.
full article
Friday, 18 June 2010
Michael Gove sets out coalition's plan for free schools
Parents can begin applying to set up the independent, government-funded schools from today
The education secretary, Michael Gove, has set out the government's plans for "free schools" on the day parents can begin applying to set them up.
The Department for Education is publishing a proposal form for groups keen to establish such schools, where applicants must set out the aims and objectives of the institution, why they want to set it up, an outline of the curriculum, and evidence of demand from parents and potential locations for the site.
A pledge to allow the establishment of such schools formed a key part of the Conservatives' election manifesto.Gove said the main principle behind free schools, which will be independent but funded by the government, was "closing the attainment gap".
"The situation we have in this country at the moment is that we have one of the most stratified, segregated school systems in the developed world," the education secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
full article
The education secretary, Michael Gove, has set out the government's plans for "free schools" on the day parents can begin applying to set them up.
The Department for Education is publishing a proposal form for groups keen to establish such schools, where applicants must set out the aims and objectives of the institution, why they want to set it up, an outline of the curriculum, and evidence of demand from parents and potential locations for the site.
A pledge to allow the establishment of such schools formed a key part of the Conservatives' election manifesto.Gove said the main principle behind free schools, which will be independent but funded by the government, was "closing the attainment gap".
"The situation we have in this country at the moment is that we have one of the most stratified, segregated school systems in the developed world," the education secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
full article
Parents' battle to run own school
"A waste of a million bricks", is how parents view the closure of a local school which they are now campaigning to operate themselves.
Five years ago, Suffolk County Council announced the closure of Clare Middle School in Sudbury and its plans to send the pupils to a secondary school 10 miles away.
Marie Baker, who has two children aged 11 and nine, was one of a dozen parents who decided to step in. Kids and parents really like the school and didn't want to see it go and a few parents decided to see what we could do to change that," she said.
"This is a great town, it has a lot going for it and a key thing is both of the schools. Lots of parents move here because of them and local businesses and facilities all benefit from the schools being here. From closing them lots of things will suffer."
full article
Five years ago, Suffolk County Council announced the closure of Clare Middle School in Sudbury and its plans to send the pupils to a secondary school 10 miles away.
Marie Baker, who has two children aged 11 and nine, was one of a dozen parents who decided to step in. Kids and parents really like the school and didn't want to see it go and a few parents decided to see what we could do to change that," she said.
"This is a great town, it has a lot going for it and a key thing is both of the schools. Lots of parents move here because of them and local businesses and facilities all benefit from the schools being here. From closing them lots of things will suffer."
full article
Can Sweden really teach British schools a lesson?
Newsnight's Liz MacKean reports from Sweden on the independent school system which the Conservatives hope to introduce in England if they win the next election.
view video/read article
view video/read article
Catholic Church warns schools against academy status
The Catholic Church in England has told its schools it would be "unwise" for them to apply for academy status.
The government has written to all schools in England inviting them to become academies - billed as independent state schools.
The Church of England has said it would not object to its schools seeking academy status. About one third of schools in England are faith schools and most of those are Christian. The Catholic Education Service has written to 2,000 Catholic schools, advising "great caution" on academies.
full article
The government has written to all schools in England inviting them to become academies - billed as independent state schools.
The Church of England has said it would not object to its schools seeking academy status. About one third of schools in England are faith schools and most of those are Christian. The Catholic Education Service has written to 2,000 Catholic schools, advising "great caution" on academies.
full article
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Two-thirds of top schools want to be academies, says Gove
Nearly 70% of secondary schools rated as outstanding have now expressed interest in becoming an academy, the education secretary, Michael Gove, revealed today.
More than 1,700 schools have now replied to the invitation he sent to every headteacher to apply for new academy freedoms.
But the flagship policy suffered a blow when the Catholic church in England warned the country's 2,000 Catholic schools it would be "unwise" for them to apply for academy status
More......
http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jun/17/academies-faithschools
More than 1,700 schools have now replied to the invitation he sent to every headteacher to apply for new academy freedoms.
But the flagship policy suffered a blow when the Catholic church in England warned the country's 2,000 Catholic schools it would be "unwise" for them to apply for academy status
More......
http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jun/17/academies-faithschools
Gove places stronger expectations on new academies
The new education secretary Michael Gove moved significantly forward in his recognition of the importance of outstanding schools that become academies working with other schools, in his first major speech as secretary of state this morning. In a well-received and policy-rich speech to heads at the National College conference in Birmingham, he made clear that he expected the new academies to work with at least one other school in a system leadership role, and that programmes like the College's National Leaders of Education would play an important part in delivering that system leadership.
More..........
http://conorfryan.blogspot.com/2010/06/gove-moves-towards-strong-expectations.html
More..........
http://conorfryan.blogspot.com/2010/06/gove-moves-towards-strong-expectations.html
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Academies now and in the future
A legal opinion on the Academies Bill
The new Academies Bill, currently going through Parliament, is a short document, with profound implications for many pupils and parents in the schools that choose to ‘opt out’ and their neighbours. Here is a summary of what they might mean from David Wolfe , a barrister from Matrix Chambers, in London, who has been involved in many cases on behalf of parents against existing academies
What the Bill proposes
The Bill will extend the range of schools which can be Academies to include primary schools, special schools and grammar schools. Academy status is no longer targeted at schools which have been considered to be failing and, indeed, the Secretary of State has prioritised the most successful schools for conversion first.
more.......
The new Academies Bill, currently going through Parliament, is a short document, with profound implications for many pupils and parents in the schools that choose to ‘opt out’ and their neighbours. Here is a summary of what they might mean from David Wolfe , a barrister from Matrix Chambers, in London, who has been involved in many cases on behalf of parents against existing academies
What the Bill proposes
The Bill will extend the range of schools which can be Academies to include primary schools, special schools and grammar schools. Academy status is no longer targeted at schools which have been considered to be failing and, indeed, the Secretary of State has prioritised the most successful schools for conversion first.
more.......
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Gove: ‘Teachers not politicians know how best to run schools’
Greater freedom and independence were promised to primary and secondary schools today as Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove invited all schools to apply to become academies.
Writing to schools today he announced that the Government will open up the Academies programme to all schools including, for the first time, primary schools and special schools. He also pledged to make the process of becoming an academy quicker and less bureaucratic, removing local authority powers to block schools that want to become academies.
Schools that are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted will be fast tracked through the process.
more......
Writing to schools today he announced that the Government will open up the Academies programme to all schools including, for the first time, primary schools and special schools. He also pledged to make the process of becoming an academy quicker and less bureaucratic, removing local authority powers to block schools that want to become academies.
Schools that are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted will be fast tracked through the process.
more......
Teachers declare war on academies
Teachers will today declare war on the Government's plans for a massive boost to the academies programme.
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, will urge schools and governing bodies to join forces to scupper what she calls the "rocket boosters" that Education Secretary Michael Gove has put under the programme.
Reed full article here
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/teachers-declare-war-on-academies-1998321.html
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, will urge schools and governing bodies to join forces to scupper what she calls the "rocket boosters" that Education Secretary Michael Gove has put under the programme.
Reed full article here
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/teachers-declare-war-on-academies-1998321.html
Monday, 14 June 2010
Need to Know - The New Academies from teacher TV
Mike Baker looks at the government policy on academies, and the advantages and disadvantages schools face in securing academy status.
Mike visits a primary academy which demonstrates some of the advantages of being free from local authority rules, including longer school days and a literacy and numeracy focused curriculum.
Next, headteacher Greg Wallace from an "outstanding" primary school, wants more information before applying for academy status. For example, what extra money will they receive and will academy status make them liable for VAT costs?
Mike concludes by summarising what is known about application procedures and explains how schools should weigh up their options in deciding whether or not to become academies
See the video here
http://www.teachers.tv/videos/need-to-know-the-new-academies
Mike visits a primary academy which demonstrates some of the advantages of being free from local authority rules, including longer school days and a literacy and numeracy focused curriculum.
Next, headteacher Greg Wallace from an "outstanding" primary school, wants more information before applying for academy status. For example, what extra money will they receive and will academy status make them liable for VAT costs?
Mike concludes by summarising what is known about application procedures and explains how schools should weigh up their options in deciding whether or not to become academies
See the video here
http://www.teachers.tv/videos/need-to-know-the-new-academies
Sunday, 13 June 2010
The licence of academies
Plans to free up schools rest on questionable data and may have results that appal history buff Gove
It would be horribly ironic if Michael Gove's revolution in education was based on a model in which academic subjects were confined to the dustbin of history. The man who has made a welcome commitment to rigour in our schools and examination systems is at risk of signing off a reform which could see traditional topics disbanded. And he doesn't even know it.
The new education secretary hopes every school in the country will become an academy. Why? Because – he's been told – they are a proven model of success. Compared with mainstream maintained schools, academies have improved twice as quickly. That is, academies' headline five A*-to-C figures at GCSE have improved twice as quickly. But this achievement is questionable. Other than English and maths, we don't know in which subjects academies are gaining their A* to Cs
Read full article
It would be horribly ironic if Michael Gove's revolution in education was based on a model in which academic subjects were confined to the dustbin of history. The man who has made a welcome commitment to rigour in our schools and examination systems is at risk of signing off a reform which could see traditional topics disbanded. And he doesn't even know it.
The new education secretary hopes every school in the country will become an academy. Why? Because – he's been told – they are a proven model of success. Compared with mainstream maintained schools, academies have improved twice as quickly. That is, academies' headline five A*-to-C figures at GCSE have improved twice as quickly. But this achievement is questionable. Other than English and maths, we don't know in which subjects academies are gaining their A* to Cs
Read full article
Friday, 11 June 2010
Academies expansion in jeopardy
Official assessment finds just 200 can be created this year, throwing flagship Government schools policy into doubt
The government will be forced to slash the number of academies it had hoped to create by September due to a lack of time and resources.
The Department for Education (DfE) had anticipated that the number of academies would triple by the beginning of the new academic year once the Academies Bill has become law.
But doubts have been cast on the Department’s capacity to manage the conversion of so many schools in such a narrow time frame over the summer, particularly with a recruitment freeze in the civil service.
read full article
The government will be forced to slash the number of academies it had hoped to create by September due to a lack of time and resources.
The Department for Education (DfE) had anticipated that the number of academies would triple by the beginning of the new academic year once the Academies Bill has become law.
But doubts have been cast on the Department’s capacity to manage the conversion of so many schools in such a narrow time frame over the summer, particularly with a recruitment freeze in the civil service.
read full article
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
How do you set up a school Academy?
How do you set up a school Academy?
The coalition government's Schools Bill is being published today and will give schools in England the chance to become academies.
Reporter Sanchia Berg went to talk to parents in Wandsworth, South London, who have already begun to prepare for the changes.
listen to full report
The coalition government's Schools Bill is being published today and will give schools in England the chance to become academies.
Reporter Sanchia Berg went to talk to parents in Wandsworth, South London, who have already begun to prepare for the changes.
listen to full report
Monday, 7 June 2010
Michael Gove: academies will be norm in England
The new coalition government said academy status was likely to be the "norm" for schools in England.
It would give individual head teachers almost complete freedom over budgets, the curriculum, hiring staff, term times and the length of school day
Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, said new academies would also be free to set their own pay - including offering six figure salaries to top heads - saying Whitehall could "not put a price" on a good school.
full article
It would give individual head teachers almost complete freedom over budgets, the curriculum, hiring staff, term times and the length of school day
Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, said new academies would also be free to set their own pay - including offering six figure salaries to top heads - saying Whitehall could "not put a price" on a good school.
full article
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Governors could block academy plans
Members of school governing bodies express concern at prospect of breaking away from local authority support network
Governors may rebel against plans to turn more schools into academies over fears they will be left isolated from vital education support networks and miss out on valuable collaboration as institutions become increasingly competitive.
Members of governing bodies, who hold the critical power of veto over whether a school applies to become an academy,
Full article http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jun/04/governors-academy-decisions
Governors may rebel against plans to turn more schools into academies over fears they will be left isolated from vital education support networks and miss out on valuable collaboration as institutions become increasingly competitive.
Members of governing bodies, who hold the critical power of veto over whether a school applies to become an academy,
Full article http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jun/04/governors-academy-decisions
Thursday, 3 June 2010
What does academy freedom mean?
Academy status is "a state of mind more than anything else".
That is the view of the former Schools Commissioner, Sir Bruce Liddington, who heads EACT, which sponsors eight academies with more in the pipeline.
He was trying to answer my question: "what exactly makes an academy different?"
As we could be about to see academies in England leap from just over 200 now to well over 2,000 in a few years, it is a key issue.
Full Article
That is the view of the former Schools Commissioner, Sir Bruce Liddington, who heads EACT, which sponsors eight academies with more in the pipeline.
He was trying to answer my question: "what exactly makes an academy different?"
As we could be about to see academies in England leap from just over 200 now to well over 2,000 in a few years, it is a key issue.
Full Article
Achievement Show 15 June 2010
The programme for the Achievement Show will include a session exploring the issues around academy status. It will focus on the freedoms you gain, as well as the responsibilities you take on.
Book your place at the show here:
https://www.ssatrust.org.uk/achievement/Pages/Achievementshow.aspx
Book your place at the show here:
https://www.ssatrust.org.uk/achievement/Pages/Achievementshow.aspx
SSAT Academy Seminars
Becoming an academy
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) has nearly ten years' experience working with schools, principals and governors on the journey to academy status. All existing academies are members of the SSAT.
We are offering a series of events to give school leaders and governors considering academy status an opportunity to gain greater understanding of the implications of the decision based on the experience of the 200+ schools in our network that have already taken it
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Welcome
Welcome, Set up in 2010 the Academy Network aims to connect academy professionals together to share best practice, knowledge and information. The Academy Network strives to get the latest news, updates and facts out to its members by being the one stop portal for every aspect of Academy life.
At the heart of the web site is a publishing platform that allows members like you to get involved, interact, and contribute content to the site. You can participate by writing an article, posting a comment in the forum, suggesting a listing for our event calendar, or sharing your experiences by writing a review of a service provider.
The Academy Network is continually evolving, we have lots of developments in the pipeline, and we sincerely hope you find this site useful and will consider getting involved in some shape or form. We really do have an opportunity to build a vibrant and genuinely useful online forum.
At the heart of the web site is a publishing platform that allows members like you to get involved, interact, and contribute content to the site. You can participate by writing an article, posting a comment in the forum, suggesting a listing for our event calendar, or sharing your experiences by writing a review of a service provider.
The Academy Network is continually evolving, we have lots of developments in the pipeline, and we sincerely hope you find this site useful and will consider getting involved in some shape or form. We really do have an opportunity to build a vibrant and genuinely useful online forum.
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