At a meeting last night at the Hanover pub, over 20 Varndean parents gathered to start a campaign opposing any move for Varndean towards academy status. The idea was discussed at a Governing Body meeting, but clearly it was controversial and not all the details have been released.
It was Labour which introduced the idea of Academies and it has always been controversial, particularly the involvement of private finance and the option of opting out of local authority control. However, Labour's legislation was only ever targeted at schools which were struggling under the existing system. Widening the legislation to include schools which are rated as good or outstanding is an attack on the system itself, and moves us ever further away from being able to offer a good education to every child.
Varndean is the latest school in Brighton and Hove to express an interest in academy status since the coalition government introduced its new legislation, and in my view is a negative step which will adversely affect education in the city.
Tracey Hill
I agree with you Tracey, but please could we stop using the Tory language of 'opting out of local authority control', when the reality is that it's 'opting out of local authority support'.
ReplyDeleteAs the head at Dorothy Stringer has announced his retirement this week I'm sure the issue of whether they become an academy will be high up on the agenda in their recruitment of a new head - with the Authority pushing for a pro-academy head if the Tories are still in control.
Hi Martin, yes good point thanks. There are several other schools in the city which may look at this as well as Dorothy Stringer.
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