Academies and governors

Do you realise that education is under attack? That the government is pushing more and more schools to become independent academies without proper consideration or consultation?

Academies are funded by the taxpayer but are not accountable to the community. Academies are schools set up as private companies - and once a school has become an academy there is no way back.

A simple vote by the governing body can turn your local school into an academy. But governors are not being given time or the facts to make decisions that will have long-term and far-reaching consequences.

We need to stop this process and at least get involved in the debate. There will be consequences for education in the local community if a number of schools go it alone and withdraw money from the local authority, which supports schools with a whole range of services.

What you can do:

• If you are a parent
  • Download and read our letter to parents
  • Talk to your friends and family about this
  • Print out our Question & Answer document and give it to other parents
  • Print off our petition and collect signatures if you feel concerned
• If you are a school governor
  • Read our information about academies
  • Read the letter that explains the implications of becoming an academy.
  • Print out the questions regarding the financial responsibilities governors have in an academy and discuss it with your colleagues on the governing board

• If you care about education
  • Download our Question & Answer document and give it to other parents
  • Read our information about academies
  • Talk to your friends and family about this