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Academy up-front payment dropped | Academy up-front payment dropped |
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The government is to make it easier for private sponsors to take over and run English state schools, in a bid to speed up its academies programme. | The government is to make it easier for private sponsors to take over and run English state schools, in a bid to speed up its academies programme. |
Instead of providing up-front funds of £2m, potential backers will now simply have to prove "the necessary skills and leadership" to run an academy. | Instead of providing up-front funds of £2m, potential backers will now simply have to prove "the necessary skills and leadership" to run an academy. |
The lowering of barriers for sponsors of these independent state schools comes as ministers open the 200th one. | The lowering of barriers for sponsors of these independent state schools comes as ministers open the 200th one. |
An additional 67 academies are being opened this term. | An additional 67 academies are being opened this term. |
The dropping of the £2m requirement is intended to both accelerate the number of academies opening and appeal to organisations which might have been deterred by the cost. | The dropping of the £2m requirement is intended to both accelerate the number of academies opening and appeal to organisations which might have been deterred by the cost. |
Ed Balls: "I'm impatient to make sure that we can have a good school in every community" | Ed Balls: "I'm impatient to make sure that we can have a good school in every community" |
Speaking at the opening of The City Academy in Hackney, east London, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said this was the biggest opening day of schools since Victorian times. | Speaking at the opening of The City Academy in Hackney, east London, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said this was the biggest opening day of schools since Victorian times. |
He added: "We want the widest range of sponsors possible. Money shouldn't be the only factor. | He added: "We want the widest range of sponsors possible. Money shouldn't be the only factor. |
"The test should be not whether they have the money, but the track record and commitment." | "The test should be not whether they have the money, but the track record and commitment." |
He wants to see successful charities, parents' groups and private firms become academy sponsors. | He wants to see successful charities, parents' groups and private firms become academy sponsors. |
Also at the opening, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said such a school was a reflection of the investment in education and an example of "doing your best by people". | Also at the opening, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said such a school was a reflection of the investment in education and an example of "doing your best by people". |
"It's about results, getting the best performance," he said. | "It's about results, getting the best performance," he said. |
'Independent ethos' | 'Independent ethos' |
The government says academies help to break cycles of underachievement in schools in deprived areas. | The government says academies help to break cycles of underachievement in schools in deprived areas. |
They are state schools - with no fees or selection - but with an independent ethos shaped by the sponsor. | They are state schools - with no fees or selection - but with an independent ethos shaped by the sponsor. |
Since the scheme was launched in 2002, academy sponsors have included businesses, universities, faith groups and charities. | Since the scheme was launched in 2002, academy sponsors have included businesses, universities, faith groups and charities. |
The milestone of 200 academies is now a year ahead of target - with plans to open a further 200. | The milestone of 200 academies is now a year ahead of target - with plans to open a further 200. |
Among the other Academies opening on Monday, are the Health Academy in Manchester, sponsored by the local NHS trust and North Birmingham Academy, whose sponsors include Aston Villa football club. | Among the other Academies opening on Monday, are the Health Academy in Manchester, sponsored by the local NHS trust and North Birmingham Academy, whose sponsors include Aston Villa football club. |
The waiver of financial sponsorship has already been introduced for universities, colleges and schools. | The waiver of financial sponsorship has already been introduced for universities, colleges and schools. |
'Rose-tinted view' | 'Rose-tinted view' |
Instead of an initial cash investment, would-be sponsors will be expected to follow a "robust, transparent procurement process to demonstrate commitment to the education sector and the necessary skills and leadership". | Instead of an initial cash investment, would-be sponsors will be expected to follow a "robust, transparent procurement process to demonstrate commitment to the education sector and the necessary skills and leadership". |
Sponsors will still be encouraged to set up an endowment to help fund the school - an arrangement that the government likens to endowments for universities in the United States. | Sponsors will still be encouraged to set up an endowment to help fund the school - an arrangement that the government likens to endowments for universities in the United States. |
But teachers' unions have been sceptical of the academy programme - arguing that the extra spending on academies has had a divisive impact on other local schools. | But teachers' unions have been sceptical of the academy programme - arguing that the extra spending on academies has had a divisive impact on other local schools. |
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "We don't believe that taking schools out of their local authorities and having them run by people who have no experience of running schools... is a way of doing school improvement." | NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "We don't believe that taking schools out of their local authorities and having them run by people who have no experience of running schools... is a way of doing school improvement." |
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said taxpayer-owned school property was being handed to private interests with little accountability and that under future governments state schools could be run for profit. | Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said taxpayer-owned school property was being handed to private interests with little accountability and that under future governments state schools could be run for profit. |
Local interests | Local interests |
However, Lynn Gadd, principal at the Harefield Academy, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, said there was no evidence that potential sponsors were looking for profit. | However, Lynn Gadd, principal at the Harefield Academy, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, said there was no evidence that potential sponsors were looking for profit. |
"Local people are governors. They certainly aren't going to let me do anything that isn't in the interests of young people in my care." | "Local people are governors. They certainly aren't going to let me do anything that isn't in the interests of young people in my care." |
But general secretary of the Nasuwt teaching union Chris Keates said there was no evidence to demonstrate that academies did any better or worse than other schools. | But general secretary of the Nasuwt teaching union Chris Keates said there was no evidence to demonstrate that academies did any better or worse than other schools. |
She added: "It is time to remove the rose tinted spectacles which politicians from all parties appear to wear when they look at academies." | She added: "It is time to remove the rose tinted spectacles which politicians from all parties appear to wear when they look at academies." |
The Anti-Academies Alliance points to research which suggested Academies improved no faster than other schools with similar profiles and intake. | |
Academies have provoked a mixed response from parents. Many academies have been oversubscribed, whereas others have met with vocal protests from local parents. | Academies have provoked a mixed response from parents. Many academies have been oversubscribed, whereas others have met with vocal protests from local parents. |
The Conservatives are supporters of academies - but say that the schools should have even greater independence and have accused the government of diluting their ability to innovate. | The Conservatives are supporters of academies - but say that the schools should have even greater independence and have accused the government of diluting their ability to innovate. |