Burnham Grammar to become an academy

[Paul Welsh]

Again, apologies if you don't think this is relevant to St Bernard's
but another local grammar school, Burnham Grammar, is now becoming an
academy by September or October. See
http://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/article-21808-governors-give-nod-to-burnham-grammar-academy-status-application/
for further details.

Once this goes ahead, the majority of local grammar schools - Langley,
Slough and Burnham - will all be academies leaving only St Bernard's
and Herschel under the auspices of the LEA.

The danger is, presumably, that a future government could abolish
selective academies at a stroke and because they will have
relinquished the statutory protections of the LEA grammar schools,
they will be able to do nothing about it.

[Devesh Desai]

Hi,

I agree with you Paul but it also provides them with the platform for
more funds and ability to make there own decisions. I am against
academy status but on the other hand I can see why this grammar
schools have applied for there status to be changed. Only time will
tell whether the decisions where correct.

Lets hope St Bernards Grammar does not have to resolve to this offer
from the government but nothing is certain in this difficult times
wher funding is the main criteria for schools. Saying that if St
Bernards does decide to go on this route then the main criteria would
be the funding.

Thanks for the update

Regards

Devesh

On Jun 16, 10:09 am, Paul Welsh <paul.wels...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> Again, apologies if you don't think this is relevant to St Bernard's
> but another local grammar school, Burnham Grammar, is now becoming an

> academy by September or October.  Seehttp://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/article-21808-governors-give-nod-...

[Phil Sage]

Hi

The only reason I think most of us would oppose St B becoming an Academy is the possibility of it losing its ability to select at some point in the future.

It seems to me there would be strong financial benefits to the school in becoming an academy independent of the anti selection Slough council.

Perhaps it is worth pursuing the path of becoming an Academy providing sufficient safeguards protecting the ethos and selection can be embedded in the Academy constitution.  Perhaps a requirement that certain clauses would require the support of a referendum of parents and the Board of Governors and the Diocese to change.

That way we could get the benefits of independence and eliminate the risk of forced change.

Thoughts?

Regards

Phil Sage

---

From: Devesh Desai <deves...@gmail.com>
To: Save St Bernard's <save-st-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, 16 June, 2011 10:21:15
Subject: [ssb] Re: Burnham Grammar to become an academy

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[Paul Welsh]

I'm no legal expert, Phil, but how's this for a thought. An incoming
government simply states that they won't fund selective academies,
only non-selective ones.

In this scenario, selective academies can have as many clauses in
their constitutions as they like but it won't help them.

[Phil Sage]

An ideological government like that could do the same for Grammar Schools

---

From: Paul Welsh <paul.w...@googlemail.com>
To: save-st-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thu, 16 June, 2011 11:05:59
Subject: Re: [ssb] Re: Burnham Grammar to become an academy

[Paul Welsh]

True, an incoming government could abolish grammar schools but in 1997
Labour decided not to and the grammars are listed individually in an
Act of Parliament, plus there are statutory provisions for ballots of
parents at feeder primary schools etc.

I believe any abolition of grammars would need to be a manifesto
commitment before it stood a chance of going through and would
obviously require an Act of Parliament.

Funding decisions, on the other hand, are made by the Education
Secretary as a matter of course and wouldn't require legislation.

So yes, you are technically correct but I believe that abolition by
the cessation of funding would be far easier to accomplish and
therefore far more likely.

[Devesh Desai]

If the selection status can be maintained then the benefits of an academy status are definately worth the change.  Saying that all the grammar schools turning into Academies must have scrutinised the ifs and nots of the status change and considering all the this Grammar schools reputation for good results would not have taken the step if they thought the selection criteria would be hindered in any way.

 

Devesh

 

 

 

 

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[ymco...@aol.com]

I think my main concern for St Bernard's becoming an Academy is financial.  Not only the funding of the school, but also once you leave the LEA, your buying power decreases because you don't have their collective pull and prices go up.   Wages and pensions also become the responsibility of the school and finally the Governors will become totally responsible for the school as the school becomes a 'Company' 

 

Another way of looking at is is if all the Grammar Schools in Slough become linked together under an Academy Group where buying power is maintained and collective co-operation is formed and therefore the burden or opportunities are shared.....speciality courses could be offered, staff could be shared ..... just a thought!

 

Yvonne Conroy

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Welsh <paul.w...@googlemail.com>

To: save-st-bernards <save-st-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:09
Subject: [ssb] Burnham Grammar to become an academy

Again, apologies if you don't think this is relevant to St Bernard's
but another local grammar school, Burnham Grammar, is now becoming an
academy by September or October.  See

http://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/article-21808-governors-give-nod-to-burnham-grammar-academy-status-application/
for further details.

Once this goes ahead, the majority of local grammar schools - Langley,
Slough and Burnham - will all be academies leaving only St Bernard's
and Herschel under the auspices of the LEA.

The danger is, presumably, that a future government could abolish
selective academies at a stroke and because they will have
relinquished the statutory protections of the LEA grammar schools,
they will be able to do nothing about it.

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[Devesh Desai]

Hi,

 

Please find attached intresting thoughts  Why schools would want to be Academies? 

 

Regards

Devesh