Varndean School Against Academies
More than 100 people crammed into the Friends Meeting House on 17/06/11 for a public meeting about the future of Varndean School and the academies program, with a decision on the future status of the school imminent.
Varndean could become an academy as early as September or October if the governors’ meeting on the 29th June decides to pursue its ‘expression of interest’. The overall trend is disturbingly like a return to the grammar school and secondary modern system based on social segregation and all it implies. Turning Varndean into an academy would remove the school Local Education Authority control, entailing a loss of accountability as well as cooperation with other local schools over admissions, special needs provision, and sharing of facilities.
The Conservatives brought in Grant Maintained Status via the 1988 Education Reform Act to enable, 'greater diversity' in educational provision, effectively weakening the powers of L.E.A.'s. However, a ballot of parents was a prerequisite and invariably they voted to stay under council control. It's depressing to think how democratic rights have been eroded further in the interim. It exemplifies how the ruling class will relentlessly attack us, grinding down expectation. We must be organised to nurture campaigns and resist this. The attendance on what was a torrential evening, and depth of feeling expressed were highly encouraging.
Alasdair Smith from The Anti-Academies Alliance termed academies, 'privatised governance'. During New Labour's tenure Academies required a sponsor to provide £2million funding although this requirement was later dropped, and the programme was aimed at ‘struggling schools’. However under the ConDem Coalition any school is vulnerable. Over the past year 1244 schools have applied to be an academy of which 831 have been approved and in 27 of the 132 Local Education Authority areas academies now represent a majority of schools. Before long this will apply in a third of areas.
Without a doubt the process of ‘transition’ to Academy status is undemocratic. At the meeting an example was cited of 'consultation' at one school consisting of a single text message sent to parents! Furthermore the money syphoned off by the Academy in local areas impacts heavily on other schools. For example, in Kent 450 central support service staff have lost their jobs.
Julie Donovan, a Governor of Coldean Primary school and Socialist Party member, outlined the implications for pupils with special needs, 60% of exclusions from academies are of children with such needs. Parents are withdrawing their children from the Rod Aldridge Academy,formerly a comprehensive school at Falmer, as it is felt these needs are not being met. Julie also called on the local council not only to show token opposition but ‘shine a very bright spotlight’ on the entire process, allowing the campaign to scrutinise every stage of the procedure.
Dave Richards, a former governor at Varndean for 4 years and Socialist Party member, described his shock to hear the chair of Governors had, "expressed an interest in academy status" and subsequently resigned his position. Dave further explained the ideological nature of academies, that the program should be stopped in its tracks, is indicative of the Government's intention to worsen living standards, and that free comprehensive education was achieved through decades of struggle by the workers movement. He emphasised how the undemocratic character of the so-called ‘consultation’ procedure meant the campaign had to see the public meeting as a start, not an end, to the campaign, and ramp up their public opposition to the Academy. He called for the lobby of the governors on 29th June to be turned into a demonstration, demonstrating the lack of support for academy status amongst parents, students and staff. He also called for full support to staff if they take strike action against moves towards academy status at Varndean. Lastly, he called for a Brighton-wide campaign in defence of public education to be formed. A video of his speech can be found here.
Trade Union involvement in the anti-academy campaign is paramount. The organised role of trade unions together with a strong community campaign, can defeat these plans. Denise Knutsen from Unison emphasised that academies don't achieve better results, asked what would happen if an academy falls in to financial difficulty, a not unlikely scenario, and outlined the problems of reversing a decision to become an academy. The N.U.T. representative at Varndean made it clear she did not become a teacher to work in a private school. She thanked the campaign for showing such support and opposition, and described the effect it was having on other staff members in opposing the academy proposal.
An N.U.T. representative in West Sussex, Dave Thomas, outlined that at his school the vast majority of staff were opposed to the concept but the governors voted 9 to 4 in favour showing how slim the margin can be. At a primary school in London 206 parents signed a petition for consultation extension. Elsewhere, in Barrow-in-Furness, between 700 and 800 walked out on a strike day. At Shorefields School, Liverpool, N.A.S.U.W.T. and N.U.T. members are to go on strike against the proposal to turn the school in to an academy. It will be the third such day of action they have taken.
School pupils spoke eloquently about their futures being harmed by the prospect of curriculum manipulation and subject choices diminishing. Inevitably, discussion turned to what can be done in practical terms. Caroline Lucas, M.P. for Brighton Pavilion, stated that she has regular meetings with school governors whilst acknowledging that ultimately the decision rests with them. She pledged to write to the chair of governors, other governors, and governors at other schools. There will also be a Green resolution to the next full meeting of the council at the end of July. However, this will be too late to influence Varndean's fate as the decision on its future is due at the end of June. There was a suggestion that the Greens, as the party with most councillors, should press for a city wide referendum on the issue.
The public sector pensions strike is on the 30/06/11 showing the frustration of teachers among others with regard to how their conditions are being compromised. Indeed, a call was made to the Green Party to take a principled stance against all public sector cuts to prevent attacks on welfare,cuts in essential services, and ensuing job losses.
This campaign can be successful - with a strong anti-academies message in defence of public education - by supporting staff if they decide to strike and student actions such as the walkouts and protests we have seen across the country. Pressure needs to be put on the governors by parents, trade unions and the Green council, although it is clear that alone will not be enough. June 29th is the next step in the campaign, where a large demonstration is needed to pressure the governors to make the right choice, and if they don’t, judging from the mood at the public meeting, the campaign will definitely continue! Green resolution to the next full meeting of the council at the end of July. However, this will be too late to influence Varndean's fate as the decision on its future is due at the end of June. There was a suggestion that the Greens, as the party with most councillors, should press for a city wide referendum on the issue.
The public sector pensions strike is on the 30/06/11 showing the frustration of teachers among others with regard to how their conditions are being compromised. Indeed, a call was made to the Green Party to take a principled stance against all public sector cuts to prevent attacks on welfare,cuts in essential services, and ensuing job losses.
This campaign can be successful - with a strong anti-academies message in defence of public education - by supporting staff if they decide to strike and student actions such as the walkouts and protests we have seen across the country. Pressure needs to be put on the governors by parents, trade unions and the Green council, although it is clear that alone will not be enough. June 29th is the next step in the campaign, where a large demonstration is needed to pressure the governors to make the right choice, and if they don’t, judging from the mood at the public meeting, the campaign will definitely continue!
