More on Academies: Jeremy Paxman Moment of the Month
The LA has said that in principle it supports pursuing the academy option with three schools. The exchange that took place at last month’s Joint Consultative committee meeting between Pete Flack, representing the NUT, and Andrew Bunyon, interim service director for CYPS, was as follows:
When Pete Flack asked why, Andrew Bunyon struggled to give an answer to the question and instead spoke about the process involved.
Pete Flack then asked why the LA had chosen that option rather than the collective model proposed by the unions, which has seen successes in raising achievement?
Again, no real answer given by Andrew Bunyon.
Again Pete Flack asked what made the LA choose that model and what facts led them to believe it was the best option for the education of children in the city?
Andrew Bunyon still could not give an answer and talked about the process for decision making.
Pete Flack gave up at this point, but pointed out that we believe it is the improvement strategy within the school that is important, not whether it is an academy or not.