Worthing High Ofsted

Worthing High School has written to parents today to advise that their school has been placed in Ofsted 'Special Measures.'

Ofsted report here

Michael Gove is destroying our school system

Guardian Education, Suzanne Moore, 30th January 2012

For the Conservative hardman in charge of our education policy, the three Rs are rigour, rightwing history and rote learning

One of the main things I learn as I age is just how much I don't know. Last week alone, I learned that I am clueless when it comes to putting together a TV stand from Ikea, making something "unscary" out of turkey mince, understanding the formulas in Brian Cox's new show or making a bored, tired child do pointless homework.

Such modesty, I am sure, is what stands between me and a cabinet post (oh, and the small detail of not being a bloke, in the Tory party or even an MP, but that's just for sticklers).

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Academy pays for £32,000 trip to New York

One of the pro-academy arguments that is frequently trotted out is that it gives schools more freedom to decide how they spend their budget. This academy has gone for a "value for money" trip to NYC! We wonder if the tax payer agrees that this is the best use of THEIR money?

BBC News, 22nd January 2013

Skegness Academy pays for trip to New York for 40 pupils

'All West Sussex schools should become academies' - Tory councillor

The Argus, Ben James, 19 January 2013

All schools in West Sussex should become academies or free schools, the county council's cabinet member for education has said.

Conservative councillor Peter Griffiths said that the authority's 250-plus schools should in time convert to try to improve standards.

His comments came in response to a 500-signature petition calling on the council to withdraw its automatic support of academies.

Speaking to The Argus yesterday, Mr Griffiths said: “The most important thing here is to improve educational standards.

“We need to make sure that is our priority and the politics and the rest can be forgotten.

“There is absolutely no deadline or anything like that. It will be a gradual change not a gallop.”

A petition was presented to the council by the West Sussex Academy Alliance, which formed following the controversial conversion of Worthing High School.

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Herald coverage of petition debate at WSCC

Herald, 17th January 2012

The county council cabinet member for education has signalled all schools in West Sussex are expected to become academies or free schools.

Conservative Peter Griffiths spoke at a children and young people’s services select committee this afternoon (Thursday, January 17) in which a petition calling for the county to scrap its support for academies was put to members.

The measure from West Sussex Academy Watch, which formed in the wake of concerns over Worthing High School’s conversion to an academy status, was rejected by the council. More than 500 people had signed the petition, which saw a series of three staff strikes against the move and fears voiced over the lack of formal public debate on the merits of becoming an academy.

Mr Griffiths responded to the petition (presented by group member Scott Maynard) and expressed his view that the 27 schools to have so far become academies with the county had been successful. While stating there would be no pressure placed on schools regarding timetables for conversion, he felt supporting Michael Gove’s programme of academy expansion was the right policy within the county.

He said: “One in five children in the county are now going to academies and I am confident that we will see similar success with future academies in realising improvement in education. One day all schools will be academies or free schools.”

Do you think all schools should become academies? - email your views to neill.barston@worthingherald.co.uk by Friday, January 19 or post a comment below. See full story in the next edition of the Worthing Herald (Janury 24).

Be sure to have your say and email Neill Barston on Mr Griffiths' comments