What you need to know about the Academies Bill A presentation to: By: Of ______NUT Date:

2 What are Academies? Academies are state funded independent schools. The previous Labour Government believed they could raise academic attainment in schools in the most challenging circumstances. The first academies opened in There are now 203 Academies (June 2010) The Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government plan a massive expansion of the academy programme.

3 The New Government’s Plans - Academy Bill 25/5/10 All schools to gain the right to apply for academy status, including primary and special schools. Schools with ‘outstanding’ Ofsted judgements have been pre-approved and could become academies by September 2010 (688 eligible secondary and 3,055 primary schools). Schools that have been in special measures for over a year will be forced to become academies from September No longer any requirement to consult the local authority before opening an academy.

4 Why the NUT Opposes the Bill (1) Academies can set their own pay and conditions. This threatens national collective bargaining for teachers. Academy funding is removed from the local authority’s budget so it has less to spend on other schools. It will further fragment education provision – making it harder to plan and deliver resources to schools and communities fairly and according to need.

5 Why the NUT Opposes the Bill (2) There is no requirement to consult before a school becomes an academy. There is no evidence that academies raise standards. The proposals focus on school structures instead of focusing resources on teaching and learning. Many existing academies have highly unsuitable sponsors. Undermines school accountability - academies are not accountable to the community through elected councillors. School Governors are appointed not elected – no teacher or staff governor – just one appointed parent governor.

6 Why the NUT Opposes the Bill (3) Academies don’t have to follow the national curriculum. Academies control their own admissions - can select 10% of pupils by ‘aptitude’. In academies, exclusions are twice as high as in community schools (0.42% compared with 0.21% in ) Transfers public assets to private ownership – the school’s land, buildings and contents – to the sponsor or Governors.

7 Workforce Issues Academies set their own pay and conditions for teaching and other staff – some limited protection under TUPE Regulations for transferred staff. Two-tier workforce – one contract for TUPE transferred staff and a separate contract for new staff. Often they have a longer school day/school year/Saturday working. More use of teaching assistants and reduction in employment of qualified teachers. Some refuse to work constructively with NUT and other Unions.

8 Sponsors Many sponsors have no educational experience: Aston Villa & West Bromwich Albion football clubs. Roger de Haan, former chief exec of Saga holidays Amey PLC – a construction and management firm David Samworth – a sausage, pies and ready-meals manufacturer. HSBC Bank, Lord Harris (carpet retailer), Microsoft. Sir Bruce Liddington, the former DCSF Government advisor on the Academies Programme and now Director General of E-Act (8 Academies), is the highest earning education executive – on almost £300,000 a year before bonus payments and pension - more than the head of top private school Eton and more than the British Prime Minister.

9 Campaigning Against Academy Status (1) Talk to all the staff and explain the arguments against the school becoming an academy and ask them to get involved. Ask your Head teacher and Chair of Governors whether they have any plans to discuss academy status. Get all teachers and staff to sign the joint union letter against transfer to academy status and forward this with the model motion to the Chair of Governors. Involve teacher and staff reps on the governing body in this process. Try to engage parent governors, the PTA and the wider parent group to oppose academy status.

10 Campaigning Against Academy Status (2) Recruit teachers who are not in a union to the NUT. Keep your division/association informed of what is happening in your school. Seek advice and support from your Division/association or Regional Office when needed. The strength of the union and any campaign against academy status will depend upon members being active. By acting together we make our voices heard.

11 But Remember ! The NUT is the union for all qualified teachers – whether in maintained schools or academies. Regardless of whether your school becomes an academy you should continue to recruit and build the NUT. The NUT is your union. A collective voice in each school is vital in forwarding the interests of teachers and the teaching professions. Your division/association and Regional Office are there to support you.

12 Keep in touch Keep your division/association in touch with developments in your school. You can also contact if you would like campaigning materials. Check the NUT website for latest updates and materials.