The teachers who plan to quit over George Osborne’s academy plans

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/mar/23/teachers-quit-george-osbornes-academy-plans

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In his latest budget George Osborne called for all schools to become academies by 2022. The chancellor says he wants to remove schools from council control to “drive up standards”.

But not everyone is behind these proposals, and many teachers have expressed concern. More alarmingly – especially as there is a huge shortage of teachers – we have also heard from many who say the latest shakeup makes them want to quit the profession for good. Here they explain why:

‘I am going to re-train as an educational psychologist’

I was already planning on leaving to re-train as an educational psychologist, and this announcement has strengthened my resolve to do so. The best thing about teaching is the actual teaching, when you get to see something click for a child. The worst is the constant interference from above, which means you get to spend less time actually in the classroom. I’m going to retrain if I can afford it. We have the most stressed and least happy children in Europe, apparently, so at least I know I’ll always have a job. Ellie from Berkshire

‘Academies are bad news – count me out’

I have heard nothing but horror stories from staff working in academies. As a matter of principle, I don’t want to be involved. Hailey from Liverpool

‘I worry about what happens if you don’t toe the line in an academy’

Competition and the idea of “survival of the fittest” is a business model that should not be applied to education. Collaboration and co-operation are much harder to achieve, but also much better. Measuring by easily measured targets and counting beans is easy but simplistic and frequently wrong. What’s more, in an academy, who are my employers? If it’s the governors, then what contractual obligations are they under to do their jobs well? If I had a problem with my contract or my pension, who would I ask? Where is the human resources department? And if I do not toe the line set down by my school’s “sponsor”, or criticise the owner, will I be sacked? I have so many concerns, and they mean I am certainly considering leaving Craig from Hampshire

‘I’ve seen first-hand what academies are like to work for’

My wife’s school is talking about joining an academy group in the next year. We’ve already discussed it and she has decided to quit. I have seen first-hand what academies are like to work for. They will not pay the same rate and the workload will be even higher. Standards will fall and it will make my wife sick to watch as the children’s education suffers. My wife has a science degree and worked in engineering before becoming a teacher. There’s a skills shortage so it looks like there are job opportunities locally. Brian from Leicestershire

‘Academies mean more bullying of staff’

I predict that there will be an increase in bullying of staff and students as a result of academisation, a further increase in mental health problems and a loss of critical thinking skills among students. I am a teaching assistant. I have been thinking about switching schools but will probably leave education completely now. Kida from St Albans

‘After 19 years in education – it’s the worst I’ve ever seen’

I do not know of an academy that is not in debt, there appears to be little accountability and a dangerous sword of Damocles culture with regard to decision making. The plans absolutely make me want to quit. After 19 years in the education system it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. I am worried for my children’s future in this current climate. Esther from Cornwall

‘I plan on retiring or doing anything that isn’t teaching’

I moved specifically when my last school became an academy and I was nauseated by processions of suits all telling us what was needed while they pocketed large sums of public money. The ultimate kicker was then discovering that this particular “sponsor” had been caught with his fingers in the till. Anyone with half a brain must wonder why these philanthropic captains of industry and free enterprise would be interested in the education of the great unwashed unless it was something to do with the acquisition of acres of land gratis. I now plan on retiring or doing anything that isn’t teaching. Kyle from the West Midlands

‘I came into teaching to work in public service’

I do not want to work for an academy. I came into teaching because I wanted to work in public service. I want my senior leadership team to be focused on the children not on getting the best deal for toilet paper or ink cartridges. I like the fact that we are all working on the same pay scale, training is still professional and teachers and managers really do want the very best for children and are not distracted by other concerns. Amy from Birmingham

‘I am planning my exit soon like a majority of my colleagues’

As a headteacher of 15 years who has turned two failing schools around I am planning my exit soon, not unlike an alarming majority of the colleagues I speak to on a regular basis. Good and experienced heads, middle managers and teachers who just do not see a context in which they can be successful, who feel under-valued and beleaguered by constant change - not for the better, but for change’s sake. “It wasn’t our party’s idea so we will have to change it” without a thought for the children it affects. Michael from the north-east