Open Debate About Privatisation

We must now have an open debate about privatisation3 important articles in the press this week kept up the pressure about the government’s education policy and the impact it is having on our schools.
A close look at the latest league tables shows academies are no better, and often worse, than maintained schools, says Fiona Millar We must now have an open debate about privatisation
Michael Gove’s drive to turn schools into academies opens the way for a privatised model that doesn’t deliver results says Seamus Milne Crony capitalism feeds the corporate plan for schools
The Education Secretary’s free-market reforms to our school system are a political time bomb waiting to explode writes Mehdi Hasan Gove’s stealthy school reforms could become as toxic as the NHS bill
Forced Academies
Ofsted puts Downhills school in special measures
On Friday Ofsted announced that they had placed Downhill School in special measures. Michael Gove has identified 200 schools, of which he says Downhills is one, that he says are ‘underperforming’ and should be turned into academies.
The Save Downhills School group have run a determined campaign to save their school and prevent it becoming an academy.
They have released the following statement:
“We are shocked to find that our school has been judged so harshly by Ofsted.  It is clear from the parents’ responses to the Ofsted questionnaire that those who know the school have a very different and more positive view of Downhills School.
“We care about our school and want the very best education for our children.  There is no evidence that forcing schools to become academies improves standards.  The government wants to take schools away from elected local authorities and hand them over to academy chains – including for profit companies – who have no experience of running primary schools.  This is not about school improvement; this is a politically driven attack on our school.”
On a positive note, our year 3 children have won a national photo competition and their work will be displayed in the National Gallery from 9 May to 15 September ’12.
Also, our campaign very much continues – we do not believe that forced academy status is a solution to our current situation.  We wish to continue our school improvement within the local family of schools.  So we very much still say – NO to forced academies.”
Rush messages of support to savedownhills@hotmail.co.uk

Save Downhills School campaign statement

Head teacher of school resisting academy status steps down
School head resigns amid academy row with Michael Gove
More forced academy news
New chief’s vision for Ofsted will ramp up pressure on schools
Homes of proposed new primary school academies revealed
Radio 4 ‘The Report’ on Forced Academies
Coleraine Park Primary School ‘bullied’ into agreeing academy plan
Noel Park Primary School and Forced Academy Status
Academies: Education secretary dismisses school’s improvement
A school sponsored by an independent chain fails its inspection
A school which recently converted to an academy after being sponsored by one of the country’s largest independent school chains has failed its inspection, in an embarrassment for the Government.
The Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Lancing, West Sussex, was described as “inadequate” in its report by Ofsted
A school sponsored by an independent chain fails its inspection
Ofsted give damning report into Birkdale High School Academy
“This is an extremely worrying report for everybody concerned with Birkdale High, parents, pupils and staff. Even more worrying because it is without precedent, this is the first of Michael Gove’s Academy convertor schools to fail in the North West.”
Ofsted give damning report into Birkdale High School Academy
Free Schools:

Free schools dubbed ‘a joke’ by Tory councillor

Plans for free schools have been dismissed as an “expensive exercise” and “a joke” with no chance of success by two of the region’s education leaders.Christine Channon, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said none of the plans on the table for the county could be successful.
Other ‘Free’ school news
Proposer of controversial free school appoints himself headteacher
Free-school applications reopen with ex-soldiers and evangelicals in running
Labour councillors revolt against “free” school plan
Free school plan for Sandymoor, Runcorn, rejected by Halton Council
Plan to open Christian free school in Hove is criticised
Kings School no thanks
Concerns raised over new free school
Guild set to be lobbying force for free schools
Worries over funding confusion for free schools
Conference: Education in Lincolnshire: what does the future hold?
A free conference for parents, governors and teachers. Education reforms, nationally and locally, are making huge changes to schooling in Lincolnshire. What is driving these changes? Are the arguments educational or economic? What’s in it for the County’s children?
2-5 pm, Saturday 3rd March
EMMTEC Auditorium,University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus
Speakers include Melissa Benn, Alasdair Smith – Anti Academies Alliance national secretary
Education in Lincolnshire: what does the future hold?
Early Day Motion 2632 – Forced Academies in Primary Schools
The following Early Day Motion had been submitted by David Lammy MP in Parliament.
The more MPs sign it the clearer it is that there is widespread opposition to Forced Academies.
Please contact your MP immediately and ask them to sign EDM 2632
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2632
Having trouble keeping up with the news on Academies and Free Schools?
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