News that King Edward VII Upper School is going to be forced to go down the Academy route has been met with dismay by Sheffield Green Party Councillors. The decision by the Department of Education followed the OFSTED report that gave the school an “inadequate” rating.
The Academy system was introduced by the Labour Government in 2000 and the Academisation of many local schools has been supported by Sheffield Labour Councillors. King Ted’s is the last secondary school in Sheffield to remain in local authority control.
Green Party Councillor Angela Argenzio, a former teacher said
“Local people are right to be concerned about the Government forcing ‘King Ted’s’ to become an Academy.
Academisation is not a solution to help address the problems faced by under-resourced schools. It can introduce fresh turmoil to staff and students at a time when the school needs to focus on improvement. The Green Party has consistently opposed the academy system which removes Local Authority oversight of how schools are performing and the support that can be given to schools in difficulties.
There is no evidence that Multi Academy Trusts improve a school’s academic attainment, boost OFSTED grades or provide schools with more financial security.
Academies are less accountable to parents and the community, pupils are more likely to be taught by an unqualified teacher or a teacher with worse pay and conditions.”
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