"Academies are all failing schools". is this true?

HurdyGurdy

I am out of the loop regarding schools these days, as my kids are all grown up.

But the grandchildren are coming along and the issue of choosing schools is approaching.

So - it is true that academies are all failing schools? Or is there another reason why a school would choose to become one?


ETA - not me choosing the schools, obviously! but the parents were discussing it this weekend and the subject came up.

poet123

Not sure if that is universally true, but in the area where I live it is the failing schools which are going down that route.

SingleSue

Not in my area.

The two local high schools were failing schools at one point but then we got an absolutely amazing head teacher who pulled them out of the mire and made the both of them amongst the best improved in the country, with GCSE and A Level results way above the national average.

Despite this, the powers that be decided that they should become an academy...results are down this year.

jog

Hi,

I think it is different in different areas, in our area it is the best schools that have become accadamies, because they want to have controll of their own finances and management, it doesn't seem to have had any negative affects on their results so far, although it is still relatively early days.

charlieann

Schools which have become academies with the new government had to achieve an outstanding ofstead in order to apply. jog is right that they are more self-managing and are more independant from the LEA.
Schools which became academies with the old government were failing schools that they were trying to turn around.

poet123

charlieann wrote: »

Schools which have become academies with the new government had to achieve an outstanding ofstead in order to apply. jog is right that they are more self-managing and are more independant from the LEA.
Schools which became academies with the old government were failing schools that they were trying to turn around.

I don't think that can be universally true. My son taught at a local comp in his trainee year, whilst not a failing school per se it was/is a low achieving school. They are now going down the academy route and I know for certain they do not fit the OFSTED criteria you mention.

balletshoes

I honestly don't know what the criteria is for taking Academy status now. Our local Federation schools (3 of them in one Federation of secondary schools) are considering taking Academy status. None of the schools in the Federation are either failing nor outstanding schools.

Becoming an Academy school means that the school management have more control over their budget - it doesn't come through the LEA to the school, it comes direct from the Government education pot to the school.

HurdyGurdy

thanks all.

It was mentioned that academies are able to employ unqualified teachers -is this true?

The senior school that my children went to was the best in our town at that time. Their last Ofsted saw them put on emergency special measures, so they seem to have gone downhill. They are now an academy.

Come to think of it, the lower and middle schools my kids went to are also both now academies. Hmmmmm - wondering if there is a link LOL

Erinnire

May not be true for all areas, but our worst schools are becoming Academies but also the best Primary schools in the area are also going/gone down that route.

Gingerjar

Nope, don't agree with the above regarding our area. Our two local outstanding and one good school have all recently become academies. It's so they can manage their own finances and staffing. ALso they can't employ unqualified teachers but free schools can.

gregg1

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

I am out of the loop regarding schools these days, as my kids are all grown up.

But the grandchildren are coming along and the issue of choosing schools is approaching.

So - it is true that academies are all failing schools? Or is there another reason why a school would choose to become one?


ETA - not me choosing the schools, obviously! but the parents were discussing it this weekend and the subject came up.

No, the one my oh teaches at is consistently outstanding at ofsted and is one of top state schools and that has been an academy for over 12 months.

Many choose to become academies in order to have more say in the way they run things.