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Defend state education
For their promoters, one of the selling points of the divisive and part-privatised academy schools programme is 'raised educational standards'.
The Department for Education, for example, claims that academies are over three times more likely to be rated outstanding than other state schools.
Rob Spurr and Dave Carr
However, official figures for 2008-09 show that higher grade passes of GCSEs in 'academic' exams (including English and maths) amounted to 49% in academies compared to 73% for other schools.
In fact, academies have inflated their exam 'successes' by replacing academic subjects with vocational qualifications and through higher rates of exclusions and selection.
These facts further expose the fast track academies programme of 'Tory libertarian' education minister Mike Gove.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that 1,500 headteachers have already registered interest and Gove's plans include some becoming academies by September!
No consultation
Gove is also trying to change the law so that parents and the community have no right to be consulted. If a salesman wants to rush a decision, don't they usually have something to hide?
These academies will be taken outside the control of local authorities so parents, staff and the local community will have no say in what happens to the school.
Council funds and services for schools will be cut for local authority controlled schools, creating a two tier system.
Academies' governing bodies will be able to determine the school's curriculum, opening the door to undemocratic and unaccountable big business and charities deciding what is taught.
Even staff's pay and conditions will be under threat, as academies will not be covered by national agreements.
When we campaigned against the plans in Croydon where 14 schools have registered an interest in becoming an academy, lots of people agreed that it's a bad idea.
United action
Some simply thought it was an unfair policy that attacks state education. Others knew people who work in an academy and don't like the way it's run. It was clear that for many people, the start of a shift from state to private education is a step too far.
Perhaps some head teachers and governors want to go along with the Con-Dems' privatisation plans - but what right do they have to hand over our schools? If your child's school is considering becoming an academy, you need to get organised fast.
Demand that decisions are not rushed through in secret. Call for a proper consultation where all views can be heard.
Set up an anti-academies group to organise a campaign involving parents, students and teachers. Only through united mass organisation can we defeat this attack on comprehensive education.
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Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.
01/05/21
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