GMB slam academy conversion for schools
GMB slam government plan to convert all schools to academies by 2022
This plan will pave the way for trusts to profiteer from our state education system which is funded by the taxpayer says GMB
GMB commented on the announcement in Chancellor George Osborne’s budget that all primary and secondary schools would be forced to become academies by 2020 or have plans in place to do so by 2022. (See notes to editors for a previous GMB press release about the budget)
Currently, 4,515 schools are academies leaving 15,632 still to convert over the next six years. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said it was clear converting all schools to academies would entail additional costs.
Academies are independently run, state-funded schools receiving their funding directly from the Department for Education, severing the link between local authorities and schools. Instead, oversight for academies is handed to one of only eight Regional School Commissioners across England.
Academies do not follow national pay scales for teachers or support staff and have the option to opt out of the national curriculum.
Avril Chambers, GMB national officer, said “This announcement opens the door to privatisation of our education system. It removes schools from local accountability and democracy thereby removing the freedom of choice for local communities.
Significant powers will be given to unelected civil servants with parents and communities unable to hold them to account. Ultimately, it will pave the way for trusts to profiteer from our state education system which is funded by the taxpayer.
GMB already represents tens of thousands of staff in existing academy schools. We will continue to organise, represent and campaign for the interests of school staff and students as their schools are forced to convert to academies”
Contact: Avril Chambers, on 07974 251766 or GMB press office on 07970 863411 or 07739 182691
