The Race is on; Academies set to revolutionise Britain’s Educational System

Oct. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Academies, funded by central government that operate independently outside local authority control are being touted as a "revolution" in schools.  The concept, originally developed under the previous labour government to help improve struggling schools in the poorest areas, is now driven by the Conservative philosophy to give schools more flexibility and freedom to run their finance, pay rates, admissions policies and curriculum. Michael Gove, the education secretary, says academies raise standards and promote social justice whilst many believe Academies will give more controls to schools. Mr Gove said, "It's about saying to heads and boards of governors and teachers - it's up to you.”  Viv Grant, a former successful Head teacher and now founder of integrity coaching believes, “the education landscape is changing fast and we need to be alert to both the positive and negative aspects of these changes.”

Jane Hunter, of Daubeney Primary School in Hackney, East London, said that primary academies would be detrimental to other schools. “It will eventually erode education departments within local authorities. Satisfactory schools and those in special measures need the strong LEAs which can support them,” she said. “There would also be a knock-on effect on recruitment, which is difficult enough at the moment. If we had to compete with higher salaries offered by academies it would be even harder.”

According to Michael Gove, 1,000 schools had initiated moves to become academies this year. However at the start of this term only 32 schools had come forward with the expectations that another 110 will opt in during the course of the year. Michael Gove said, "I don't want to coerce anyone into a position with which they're unhappy. I want to allow schools to take up this offer."

Schools rated outstanding by Ofsted are said to fast track their way into becoming academies where we will see them becoming independent of the local authority with more control over their curriculum and employment policies.  Viv Grant believes, ‘Now is a  time when the leadership skills of all those involved in these transition will be severely tested. Whatever decisions school leaders make; whether they choose academy status or otherwise- they will need to demonstrate true commitment, courage and dedication to the path they have chosen; a path that might not be universally viewed  as the right one by key stakeholders.”

Critics have warned that academies will see children from disadvantaged areas and schools losing out and The NASUWT teachers' union claims the policy will "disenfranchise democratically-elected local councils." But Wendy Foster, of Combe Primary School, in Witney, Oxfordshire, which topped the primary school league tables this year, said that she would look into the offer. “I would welcome anything that helps our children progress beyond national expectations and fulfill their potential without unnecessary constraints,” she said. “Head teachers should be given the freedom to do what is right and proper for the children in front of them, and what is right today might not be so tomorrow, but we have to change with the times.

The new movement could also see schools rated as outstanding by inspectors being fast-tracked into academy status for the autumn. It is expected that all schools in England - including primaries - will soon be able to apply to become academies. The plans have been attacked by the former education secretary Ed Balls, who said they would "hugely devalue the academies' name". He said, "It will also mean the resource and the power will be handed over, away from the local authority to the best-performing schools which will suck the best teachers and the extra money."


http://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/

For more information, contact Nikki Garriques, Marketing & PR Manager, at 0208 767 7664 or at pressoffice@integritycoaching.co.uk

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Integrity Coaching offers a range of coaching services to help teachers and school leaders, and those who work in children and young people’s services, develop their leadership skill and expertise. “We are the market leaders in offering ILM vocational coaching qualifications for the education sector.”

Integrity Coaching offers a Coach Training Programme specifically for Academy leaders and teachers to assist them in the development of their academies and strategies to achieve excellence from both teachers and students. A former head teacher herself and also, Director of Integrity Coaching, Viv Grant explains, “We understand that for Academy leaders and managers, often working in complex and demanding contexts that the above challenges are all too real. We are here to aid and support all those who want to raise standards and achieve the very best for their staff, pupils and the communities they serve.”