Worthing High Academy Action Group will be campaiging in Worthing Town Centre again this Saturday after the outstanding success and support we gained last weekend. We will be publicising our activities, informing the public of the issues and the fabulous progress we've made to date. Please come along and lend your support. We will be meeting at the the Bandstand (between Laura Ashley and Monsoon) at 10am. Please join us if you can, even if it's just for half an hour.
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WEST SUSSEX ACADEMY WATCH Parent-led campaign group against academies and free schools in West Sussex
Thursday 31 May 2012
Governors Protest Meeting
A massive thank you to everyone who turned out for the protest outside the school yesterday. We were up to 45 strong, including WHS parents, staff and students, prospective parents, councillors and the wider community. We had fun, made lots of noise and ensured that our message was conveyed loud and clear, courtesy of a megaphone and lots of car hooting!
Check out page 3 of The Argus today, with a positive piece and picture that captures the spirit of our campaign and purple theme.
A piece of purple ribbon will be tied to the railings on the public footpath, outside the main entrance of the school everyday - a symbolic and colourful reminder that our campaign continues, despite the vote by Governors yesterday to go ahead with their academy proposal application. See Alison Beer's email that went out to parents at the school below.
Representatives of our group and union reps will be in Worthing centre on Saturday, meeting at the bandstand area (between Laura Ashley and Monsoon) at 10 am. They will be talking to the public, raising awareness and promoting our campaign. Please join them if you can, even if it's just for half an hour.
Other news: a Worthing High Academy Action Group blog / website is currently under construction. We will unveil this to you asap. And our next public meeting will be on Tuesday 12th June, at 7.30 pm at the Cricket Club on Manor Ground rec., off Broadwater Road, Worthing.
We will be in touch again soon.
Thanks for your continue support and input.
The Committee
Parents fight Worthing High School's academy plans
Article in The Argus (31 May 2012)
"Parents were out in force to protest against a school’s academy plans.
They were joined by pupils and teachers from Worthing High School which looks set to be turned into an academy.
The board of governors met at 6pm yesterday (May 30) to discuss sending the plans to the Department of Education following a six week consultation period.
Around 40 people, mostly from Worthing High Academy Action Group, held banners, handed out leaflets and chanted as the school bosses met."
Continue Reading....
"Parents were out in force to protest against a school’s academy plans.
They were joined by pupils and teachers from Worthing High School which looks set to be turned into an academy.
The board of governors met at 6pm yesterday (May 30) to discuss sending the plans to the Department of Education following a six week consultation period.
Around 40 people, mostly from Worthing High Academy Action Group, held banners, handed out leaflets and chanted as the school bosses met."
Continue Reading....
Update on Academy Consultation issued at 8pm Thursday 30th March 2012
Article by Bob Smytherman at Worthing Liberal Democrats (31 May 2012)
"At a Governing Body meeting held this evening to discuss the responses to the Academy Proposal, Governors of Worthing High School, supported by the Worthing High Trust Board voted to move to converter Academy status.
They were very mindful of the concerns expressed by some parents, stakeholders and staff but felt that the vast majority of these will be alleviated as the school moves towards becoming an Academy just as concerns were addressed when the school converted to becoming a Trust school in 2008. Governors were keen to reiterate that the school will be transitioning as a converter Academy and not a sponsored Academy as has been reported by some media channels. The Governors acknowledged that the school will benefit by having more financial flexibility in order to procure better services, for example, provision of an Educational Welfare Officer (which we are currently without) and other such similar support."
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"At a Governing Body meeting held this evening to discuss the responses to the Academy Proposal, Governors of Worthing High School, supported by the Worthing High Trust Board voted to move to converter Academy status.
They were very mindful of the concerns expressed by some parents, stakeholders and staff but felt that the vast majority of these will be alleviated as the school moves towards becoming an Academy just as concerns were addressed when the school converted to becoming a Trust school in 2008. Governors were keen to reiterate that the school will be transitioning as a converter Academy and not a sponsored Academy as has been reported by some media channels. The Governors acknowledged that the school will benefit by having more financial flexibility in order to procure better services, for example, provision of an Educational Welfare Officer (which we are currently without) and other such similar support."
Continue Reading...
Gove’s soundbite re academy food lacks substance
Article by Janet Downs at Local Schools Network (31 May 2012)
“All the evidence seems to me to point in the other direction – schools that have academy status have improved the quality of food that they offer children.” So said Secretary of State Michael Gove to the Education Select Committee.
But a Freedom of Information request shows that he based his confident statement on a small number of case studies and menu samples from academies obviously chosen because they complied with the food standards.
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Stephen Twigg warns against 'quick buck' school profit
Article by Sean Coughlan at BBC.CO.UK (31 May 2012)
"Introducing profit-making into state schools in England risks attracting firms looking for a "quick buck", says Labour's Stephen Twigg.
The shadow education secretary says he was shocked that Education Secretary Michael Gove appeared to be considering free schools being run for profit.
Mr Gove had told the Leveson Inquiry on Tuesday that he had an "open mind" on such profit making in the future.
But Mr Twigg says such a change "risks the abuse of public resources".
Labour's education spokesman is to warn against profit-making in state schools in a speech to head teachers in London, later on Thursday."
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"Introducing profit-making into state schools in England risks attracting firms looking for a "quick buck", says Labour's Stephen Twigg.
The shadow education secretary says he was shocked that Education Secretary Michael Gove appeared to be considering free schools being run for profit.
Mr Gove had told the Leveson Inquiry on Tuesday that he had an "open mind" on such profit making in the future.
But Mr Twigg says such a change "risks the abuse of public resources".
Labour's education spokesman is to warn against profit-making in state schools in a speech to head teachers in London, later on Thursday."
Continue Reading....
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Michael Gove open-minded over state schools being run for profit
Article by Jeevan Vasagar in The Guardian (29 May 2012)
"The education secretary has given his clearest indication yet that a future Conservative government would let state schools be run for profit.
Giving evidence to the Leveson inquiry into phone hacking, Michael Gove was asked whether he hoped free schools would be able to make profits in a Tory second term.
He replied: "It's my belief that we could move to that situation but at the moment it's important to recognise that the free schools movement is succeeding without that element and I think we should cross that bridge when we come to it."
Allowing schools to make a profit is politically toxic. A Populus poll this year found overwhelming public opposition."
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"The education secretary has given his clearest indication yet that a future Conservative government would let state schools be run for profit.
Giving evidence to the Leveson inquiry into phone hacking, Michael Gove was asked whether he hoped free schools would be able to make profits in a Tory second term.
He replied: "It's my belief that we could move to that situation but at the moment it's important to recognise that the free schools movement is succeeding without that element and I think we should cross that bridge when we come to it."
Allowing schools to make a profit is politically toxic. A Populus poll this year found overwhelming public opposition."
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Wednesday 16 May 2012
Academy schools attain fewer good GCSEs, study shows
Article by Daniel Boffey in The Guardian (25 February 2012)
"Academies are under-performing compared with other state schools, raising doubts over the reform programme being pursued by the education secretary, according to a new analysis of government figures.
Ministers are encouraging schools to remove themselves from local authority control to become academies, while failing schools are having that status imposed upon them. Michael Gove, who is pushing through the programme, has accused critics of being "happy with failure". However, a new analysis of Department for Education figures shows that, while 60% of pupils in non-academy schools attained five A* to C gradeGCSEs last year, only 47% did so in the 249 sponsored academies.
The progress that pupils achieve over time is also lower in academies than in non-academy schools, with 65% of those in academies making expected progress in English in the year leading to the 2011 GCSE examinations, compared with 74% in the community, foundation and voluntary-aided schools that make up the rest of the state sector."
"Academies are under-performing compared with other state schools, raising doubts over the reform programme being pursued by the education secretary, according to a new analysis of government figures.
Ministers are encouraging schools to remove themselves from local authority control to become academies, while failing schools are having that status imposed upon them. Michael Gove, who is pushing through the programme, has accused critics of being "happy with failure". However, a new analysis of Department for Education figures shows that, while 60% of pupils in non-academy schools attained five A* to C gradeGCSEs last year, only 47% did so in the 249 sponsored academies.
The progress that pupils achieve over time is also lower in academies than in non-academy schools, with 65% of those in academies making expected progress in English in the year leading to the 2011 GCSE examinations, compared with 74% in the community, foundation and voluntary-aided schools that make up the rest of the state sector."
What is required when governors consult on converting their maintained school into an academy?
Article by David Wolfe at A Can Of Worms (19 September 2011)
The short answer is that they need to let everyone know what they are proposing, and why (with full information), give them a chance to comment and listen, with an open mind, before deciding whether to proceed.
First, a bit of history…
Prior to the Academies Act 2010, the process of turning a maintained school into an academy involved formally ‘discontinuing’ the maintained school (a process under the Education and Inspections Act 2006) which required publication of specified information and a formal and defined process of public consultation and involvement.
The short answer is that they need to let everyone know what they are proposing, and why (with full information), give them a chance to comment and listen, with an open mind, before deciding whether to proceed.
First, a bit of history…
Prior to the Academies Act 2010, the process of turning a maintained school into an academy involved formally ‘discontinuing’ the maintained school (a process under the Education and Inspections Act 2006) which required publication of specified information and a formal and defined process of public consultation and involvement.
Monday 14 May 2012
Some academies ignoring healthy food guidelines, report says
Article by Denis Campbell in The Guardian (14 May 2012)
"A new report reveals that many academies are selling unhealthy food and drinks that are banned in other schools. Now doctors and campaigners are calling on the government to intervene.
When Michael Gove wrote to Jamie Oliver last August in response to the chef's concerns about the coalition's school food policies, he could not have been more soothing. He noted – but discounted – Oliver's fear about academies not having to follow the nutritional standards that have applied in maintained schools since 2008-09. "I would like to reassure you that we have no reason to believe that academies will not provide healthy, balanced meals that meet the current nutritional standards. As part of the broader freedoms available to academies, I trust the professionals to act in the best interests of their pupils," the education secretary said. So he was clear – there was no problem."
Continue reading...
"A new report reveals that many academies are selling unhealthy food and drinks that are banned in other schools. Now doctors and campaigners are calling on the government to intervene.
When Michael Gove wrote to Jamie Oliver last August in response to the chef's concerns about the coalition's school food policies, he could not have been more soothing. He noted – but discounted – Oliver's fear about academies not having to follow the nutritional standards that have applied in maintained schools since 2008-09. "I would like to reassure you that we have no reason to believe that academies will not provide healthy, balanced meals that meet the current nutritional standards. As part of the broader freedoms available to academies, I trust the professionals to act in the best interests of their pupils," the education secretary said. So he was clear – there was no problem."
Continue reading...
Monday 7 May 2012
Headteachers claim forced academy status is unjustified
Article written by Louise Tickle in The Guardian (7 May 2012)
Anna Jones* is a headteacher with a proven track record in school improvement. When she joined her Birmingham primary school, it was in special measures. She had brought a previous school out of special measures and was appointed to do the same again. As soon as she arrived, Jones set about an extensive analysis of the gaps in teaching performance and put in place a monitoring programme to check and re-check that pupils' achievement (progress) and attainment (results) were accurately assessed and targeted for improvement.
The efforts appear to be working. The school is now out of special measures and was deemed "satisfactory" after an Ofsted monitoring visit. It is oversubscribed in some year groups, has 95% attendance, and pupil achievement and attainment are increasing fast. Crucially, internal tracking of progress predicts that, come this summer, the school will pass Ofsted's newly redrawn Sats floor target, under which 60% of 11-year-olds must reach the standard expected of them in English and maths."
Friday 4 May 2012
DfE fails to refute LSN analysis: DfE data shows academies do not perform better
Article by Henry Stewart on Local Schools Network (04 March 2012)
"This week the Department for Education issued an attempted rebuttal of our data comparing results from academies and other state schools, as highlighted in last week’s Observer. It is an odd and rather shallow response. The critique bears so little relation to either the Observer article or the extensive analysis on this site that I wonder if the author actually read them.
DfE: “Much of their analysis was based on a simplistic comparison between all schools and Academies – nearly all of which were previously failing local authority maintained schools. As Academies are having to recover from such a low base such a comparison is nonsensical.”
Not true. In fact the Observer article compares academies and non-academies starting from a similar low base. For schools achieving less than 35% in 2008 (in % of students getting 5 GCSE A-Cs including English & Maths), academies increased 18% (from 24% to 42%) and non-academies by 19%, from 24% to 43%. These figures are given in the Observer article. It is hard to understand how the DfE author missed them."
Continue Reading....
"This week the Department for Education issued an attempted rebuttal of our data comparing results from academies and other state schools, as highlighted in last week’s Observer. It is an odd and rather shallow response. The critique bears so little relation to either the Observer article or the extensive analysis on this site that I wonder if the author actually read them.
DfE: “Much of their analysis was based on a simplistic comparison between all schools and Academies – nearly all of which were previously failing local authority maintained schools. As Academies are having to recover from such a low base such a comparison is nonsensical.”
Not true. In fact the Observer article compares academies and non-academies starting from a similar low base. For schools achieving less than 35% in 2008 (in % of students getting 5 GCSE A-Cs including English & Maths), academies increased 18% (from 24% to 42%) and non-academies by 19%, from 24% to 43%. These figures are given in the Observer article. It is hard to understand how the DfE author missed them."
Continue Reading....
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Academy Myths
Academy Myths
Ten Academy Myths – True /False quiz*
1. “Academies’ GCSE results improved by nearly twice as much as in non academy schools in 2011” (DfE)
TRUE/FALSE
2. Academies that have been running for a long time get better GCSE results than non academies
TRUE/FALSE
3. Academies with high levels of disadvantaged students do better than similar non academies (The Telegraph)
TRUE/FALSE
4. Academies make their results appear better by getting students to take easier qualifications
TRUE/FALSE
5. Although individual academies have mixed results, the education chains (like Harris) perform strongly
TRUE/FALSE
6. Academies exclude twice as many students as other state secondary schools
TRUE/FALSE
7. Funding levels for academies are available for the general public to see
(David Cameron told Education Select Committee)
TRUE/FALSE
8. The accounts for education chains, like all other charities, are made publicly available by the Charities Comission
TRUE/FALSE
9. Mossbourne is an academy and performs exceptionally well.Therefore all academies will perform exceptionally well
TRUE/FALSE
10. “All those schools that have taken on academy freedoms are working with other schools to help them raise standards more broadly.” (Michael Gove)
TRUE/FALSE
All the information about academies that is used in this quiz was compiled from the Department for Education’s own data by Henry Stewart of the Local Schools Network. It relates only to secondary schools. Why? Because the government doesn’t even have any data for primary schools!
You can find more information and data, including graphs, in this section.
* Answers: 1 F 2 F 3 F 4 T * 5 F 6 T 7 F 8 F 9 F * 10 F
* Q 4 They use GCSE ‘equivalents’ to boost results. When the lesser qualifications are taken out of the picture, the academies do even less well than LA maintained (community) schools.
* Q 9 That’s a bit like saying ‘David Beckham is a man and he’s a world class footballer. Therefore all men will become world class footballers.’ ????
Academy Facts
Academies: The Evidence of Underperformance
The massive release of data by the Department for Education (over 200 pieces of data on each of over 5,000 secondary schools) makes possible a thorough analysis of how well different types of school have performed. The evidence is clear and overwhelming: Academies have not been the success story that their supporters have claimed. Instead there is a clear record of under-performance.
Henry Stewart should be credited for the very thorough analysis of those data.
The overall figures have long been clear, for the key measure of % achieving 5 A-Cs at GCSE including English and Maths:
Academies: 47%
Non-academies: 60%
The data now includes a figure for the % achieving 5 A-Cs including English and Maths but without counting non-GCSE qualifications like Btecs. Here the difference is even more stark:
Academies: 34%
Non-academies: 54%
The gap is huge but this is an unfair comparison. We know that the raw % pass rate (though currently Ofsted’s favoured figure) is closely related to the ability of the students at entry. We know that schools in disadvantaged areas tend to achieve lower % for 5 A-Cs and we know that the early academies were more likely to be in disadvantaged areas. So does this explain the discrepancy?
The answer is a resounding no. To analyse this, I split the data into five comparison groups according to the % of students on free school meals. The first group, the most advantaged, is of schools where less than 10% are on FSM and so on up to the most disadvantaged where more than 40% are on FSM. Academies still perform worse than comparable non-academies.
% achieving 5 A-Cs at GCSE including English and Maths:
Figures with GCSEs + equivalents
Overall Academies: 47%
Non-academies: 60%
Related to % children on FSM
Figures with GCSEs only
Overall Academies: 34%
Non-academies: 54%
Related to % children on FSM
The message is clear. When academies are compared to comprehensives with the same level of disadvantage, their results are worse.
Another example: the % making expected progress in English and Maths:
Film to explain the data
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