Are academies the future?

Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy recently changed its status and now joins the growing number of academies across the UK. The latest figures from the Department of Education show that in September there were a total of 1,300 academies open, with “a further 593 in the pipeline”. But what does academy status mean for a school, and for its pupils?

It appears that greater financial freedom for schools, new facilities and an increase in available funds are all considered major factors in a school gaining academy status. By becoming an academy a school is funded directly by grants from the Government and not via the Local Authorities, which means the school makes independent choices in areas such as staffing decisions, maintenance of the school and the curriculum studied by its students.

Mrs Ross, head teacher at KSHSSA explains, “For me as a head, we have more money, and that’s the reason why most people want to become an academy” she told us. “The money goes towards the pupils, we’ve probably got around £220,000 to spend on the 850 girls that are at the Academy”. She also told us about the freedom associated with the academy status, “You are more independent, so if I want to propose something I don’t have to go via the local authorities”.

It seems however that the change to academy status at KSHSSA may not be that evident to the pupils of the school at first. Mrs Ross told us, “The pupils probably don’t notice a difference at all, in fact the biggest difference for the pupils is driving in, there’s a new sign that says we are a Selective Academy, and you walk into the building and it says Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy”.

Until the 17th November 2010 only schools with an outstanding report from Ofsted could convert to academy status. Now schools of all levels across the UK are applying, hoping to upgrade to the benefits involved with becoming an academy.

However this has caused debates amongst governing bodies and head teachers of UK schools, as to whether gaining academy status would be beneficial to their school. David Hudson, head teacher of Wickersley School & Sports College is in no rush to make the change. He told the BBC, “I am head of an outstanding, high-performing school. I’m already doing very nicely, thank you very much, so why give me extra money at the expense of other schools that need it?”

So it appears that there is an array of mixed opinions and feelings over the academy status that is being chosen by many schools across the UK. It seems that it is down to the governing bodies of individual schools to debate any possible conversion and to decide whether it is beneficial for their school to switch to academy status.

By Sydney and Lucy, Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy.

For the full interview with Mrs Ross click here