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

DevilsAdvocate1

In my area two private schools have decided to become academies. The parents are up in arms as they were paying to keep their children away from average people. One parent on the radio said that they paid for a private education for their children so that they would not be infected. Wonder if they think average people have nits or something!

Also, two of the best state secondaries in the area (one of which my son attends) have also become acadamies.

scooby088

I would say as an average of academies are once failing schools, they are just rebranded with new uniforms and sometimes new teachers.

peachyprice

Nope, the three highest achieving, over-susbscribed schools here are academies. No new names, no re-branding, no new uniforms, no new unqualified teachers, no unhealthy school dinners, just business as usual.

cottonhead

In my experience you cant tell how well a school is doing based just on whether its an academy or not. If a school has academy status they have more freedom as to how the school is run , what the admissions criteria is and if they choose to specialise etc etc.
However in my own area the schools that have become acadamies were not very good before they converted. They changed their name and uniform in a bid to shake off the bad reputation and actually more people want to go there now. Essentially it still attracts the same sort of kids becausae of where its located and I wouldnt want to send my child there. However some acadamies have really turned around.