Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/637/10183
From The Socialist newspaper, 9 September 2010
Academies will lead to a two-tier education system
THE GOVERNMENT'S plans to encourage 'outstanding' schools to take a fast-track to 'academy' status are a threat to the future of comprehensive local authority schooling. They could introduce a fragmented two-tier education system where 'successful' schools opt-out of the local authority, taking money with them as they go, leaving cash-starved councils with the schools - and pupils - that need most help.
Martin Powell-Davies, National Union of Teachers (NUT) executive (personal capacity)
The ability of outstanding schools to continue with high quality teaching and learning will not be enhanced by becoming an academy. Research on existing academies presents a very mixed picture of their educational performance.
The government has made it crystal clear that they wish to remove national pay and conditions arrangements from teachers. Allowing individual academies to set their own arrangements is intended to be one of the mechanisms to achieve this aim.
Fortunately, many schools have held back from rushing into becoming academies this September. In fact only 32 schools have reopened after the summer break as independent academies. But Tidemill school in Deptford, south London, is pursuing academy status.
The school hit the headlines when it was revealed that its headteacher, Mark Elms, was paid around £250,000 in 2009/10.
Campaign
Under pressure, the government has conceded that parents should be consulted over plans to become an academy - but Tidemill's timetable shows how limited that 'consultation' can be.
As last term drew to a close, Tidemill children were handed a letter for parents on 19 July saying that the governors were consulting for two months (ie over the summer holidays) before they make a decision early in September!
But some parents were not prepared to accept this sham consultation. An inaugural meeting of 'Tidemill Parents Against Academies' was held over the summer and, with the support of the NUT and Anti-Academies Alliance, leafleting has already taken place in Deptford with a lot of support from local residents and parents. A subsequent campaign meeting on 6 September was informed that the deadline has now been extended into October.
Local councillors are now beginning to ask questions - but time is tight to put enough pressure on the governors to hold back.
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In The Socialist 9 September 2010:
National Shop Stewards Network lobby of the TUC
Socialist Students
We won't be a lost generation!
No to slave labour apprenticeships!
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tony Blair - a journey to Thatcherism
Academies will lead to a two-tier education system
Jobs and services are facing axe in Cornwall
Socialist Party youth and students
Far right not welcome in Brighton
Socialist Party workplace news
Solid strike on London Underground
London: Unite members to strike against NHS privatisation
New Royal Mail boss sharpens her axe
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Fighting for the health service
The callous cutting of NHS Direct
Socialism 2010
Against cuts? Come to Socialism 2010
International socialist news and analysis
Russia: Motorway construction through Khimkinsky forest halted
Global food crisis reveals failure of capitalism
Socialist Party feature
Socialist Party review
Zola's Germinal: still relevant today
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