Academies

Academies

Over the break there was a good deal of media attention following the publication of the white paper (Educational Excellence Everywhere). I hadn’t appreciated the level of distrust surrounding academies that still seems to prevail. Back in 2008 when I was appointed there were less than 100 academies and we were seen as something of an experiment, I could understand the lack of trust. Over the last eight years things have changed, there are now 5272 academies in England, 2020 are secondary! The white paper challenges all schools to become academies by 2022.

On facebook I noticed the following posting warning us about academies suggesting that they:

-Take schools out of the control of experts and hands them to people who can make money from them.

-Offer a complete top-down reorganisation that wasn’t promised in the manifesto because that worked well for the NHS

-Frees parents from the burden of having a say in the running of their local schools

-Empower teachers and headteachers by telling them exactly what’s right for them

-Guarantee higher standards by not taking children with additional learning or other needs

-Remove control from evil, democratically elected councils in favour of nice, unaccountable bureaucracies

-Help fulfil potential such as academy CEOs potential to earn 200k+ and make money from employing their own companies.

I find it disappointing and frustrating that there is so much misinformation in the system. My response to the seven points are as follows:

1.     There is no money to be made and all academies must have qualified teachers and leaders!

2.     Not sure how the NHS comparison is relevant

3.     Parents continue to help govern academies, thankfully

4.     This doesn’t make any sense to me

5.     Nonsense, we have a statutory duty to abide by the admissions code

6.     We are accountable to the EFA, Ofsted, and all stakeholders.

7.     I wish!

It is good and right that we debate this important issue informed by the true differences between academies, free schools et al. Please do join me for the parent engagement evening later this month where I look forward to hearing your views.

Gadgets

I recognise that this this not a subject that I am entitled or qualified to give advice on. Over the last eight years I have been rather glued to my devices, checking e-mail each day and finding it difficult not to be in touch with school life, even throughout the holidays. This Easter I attempted to take a complete break and that included being gadget free! I set up the auto reply on the e-mail account and disconnected work for the ten days of the family holiday. The results were certainly beneficial for me and I began to notice the impact ICT was having in other families.  

Two incidents stand out, the first in a solemn Eucharist in the Cathedral. I was irritated to see two children sitting in front of me wearing headphones and playing games, one of them particularly violent. While the service progressed, including some beautiful music, the two children didn’t look up at any point, and at no point did the parents suggest they disconnect! I resisted the temptation to make comment, perhaps I should have done.

While staying in a hotel I began to notice families sitting after or during dinner often in silence in silence each glued to a tablet or phone. No group discussions, games or human interaction of any form, just a family unit plugged in, in isolation, it can’t be healthy. We have a policy on devices within school, which I hope is sensible. We ask students not to use them during lesson time unless it is connected to their learning and I know that many parents are comforted by the fact that their children have a phone with them particularly relevant perhaps within a city centre site.  I wonder if we need to consider supporting students and staff more, encouraging them to be less reliant on devices, and to take a break.