The Live Wire



Press Release

Academies are threat to local democracy

15 February 2007

A survey conducted by the National Governors’ Association showed that 95% of the school governors questioned remain unconvinced about the Government’s case for establishing 400 academies. Additionally, 80% believe that it is wrong that sponsors could make a small contribution, sometimes as little as £200,000, to the setting up costs and yet were given control of an academy – its assets, ethos and admissions criteria – in perpetuity.

The NGA, formed a year ago by a merger between the National Governors’ Council and the National Association of School Governors, marked its first anniversary by seeking the views of members about an issue hotly debated nationally.

Chair of NGA Judith Bennett commented: ‘Many of our members see the introduction of academies as a further attempt to undermine the role of local authorities and to dismantle further local democratic control.’

Mrs Bennett continued, ‘Academies were originally an attempt to solve long-term problems of under-achievement, in areas of high socio-economic deprivation and low aspiration, where traditional approaches and other government or local initiatives had failed to achieve a step-change. However, the evidence so far is not convincing. Academies have not proved themselves. Indeed, Ofsted has failed a number. The aim was to replace failing schools but there are instances of good schools being closed and turned into academies. It does make me wonder if this is to increase the likelihood of the resultant academy making a good showing in examination results.’



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National Governors' Association

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