This guide explains the legal provisions that can be used to assist in protecting members’ rights when a school converts to become an academy. It is intended to supplement the Academies Toolkit “Protecting members in Academies” which is aimed at school reps in those academies which are in the process of converting or have converted already.

The Government is using developments in American charter schools as evidence to support the Academies programme in the UK. This short Briefing outlines the background to the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) and the charter schools run by HCZ. It summarises the independent research on HCZ that has been carried out by academics.

The attached Briefing is intended as a guide to members on the Academies Act 2010, provide an update on the number of new and traditional academies and provide members and reps with NUT arguments against academy status for schools.

Commenting on the number of schools opting for Academy status, Christine Blower General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said;

Hundreds of teachers, parents, pupils and governors lobbied parliament on Monday 19th July to protest against the Government's cuts to the Building Schools for the Future programme and to highlight serious concerns about academies and free schools. On the day that the Academies Bill was first debated in the House of Commons - with the Government seeking to railroad the Bill through Parliament before the summer break - around half of all English MPs were lobbied and many more will be visited in their constituencies.

Read a message from NUT General Secretary, Christine Blower here.

AN Anti-Academies Alliance meeting was held on 24 June 2010. The meeting was attended by the General Secretary, NUT and representatives from other Unions. Attached are some photos.

 

Jon Trickett MP has kindly tabled an Early Day Motion on the Bill.

No Forced Academies

Haringey Campaign Against Academies are organising a demonstration and march to Haringey Civic Centre on Saturday 28 January. Assemble at Keston Road, N17 (next to Downhills School) at 12 noon. Click here for a flyer.

Click here for a campaign video by the Downhills children.

FORCED CONVERSION UNDER THE ACADEMIES ACT 2010

The Secretary of State for Education can now 'force' a maintained school to convert into an academy due to perceived poor performance at the school. This power of 'forced conversion' is the subject of this paper.

Academies Toolkit

Organising to win - Academies toolkit for school reps	Academies toolkit for school reps
Academies toolkit 3	Academies toolkit 2
This toolkits is for school representatives to use to campaign against academy conversion for their school. The NUT is campaigning to defend a unified state education system and believes the best way to do this is for schools to remain part of the local authority family of schools.	This toolkit is for NUT representatives in schools which are intending to convert, or have already converted to an academy. It covers the process of converting to an academy and provides information and guidance on how to promote members' interests in academies post-conversion.

Your MP will have votes in Parliament over the next few weeks that will have a dramatic impact on all schools and local communities whether they decide to become an academy or not. Before MPs vote, it is important that they hear from as many of their constituents as possible about the problems with the Academies Bill. It is quick and easy to e-mail your MP and ask for their support.

The NUT is campaigning against Academy schools because: Academies have a damaging impact on children, teachers and the whole community. Academies do not raise educational standards. Further information on why the NUT is campaigning against Academies is set out in “What is the NUT’s view on Academy schools?” This section of the NUT’s website provides advice on how you can help to campaign against Academies planned in your local area. Listed below are the NUT’s key documents on Academies. Steps to Becoming an Academy and the Consultation Process December 2010 What is An Academy? December 2010 What requirements are placed on Academy schools? December 2010 Information on academy chain sponsors E-Act Academies Harris Federation Oasis Academy United Learning Trust Ark Academy Other sponsors Campaign resources The NUT has produced a wide range of resources for use in local campaigns. General A4 leaflet General A5 flyer Parents A4 leaflet Parents A5 flyer Governors A4 leaflet Governors A5 flyer Teachers A4 leaflet Teachers A5 flyer http://www.antiacademies.org.uk/Home