I have become increasingly disturbed about the Academies Show, which I attended recently. I went for three reasons:
- ONSchool, the free school proposal I am leading, would be an academy and I wanted to understand the broader context for the implementation of this policy.
- I wanted to learn more about the range of suppliers of services in this emerging space.
- I was using the event to meet a few people who were interested in employing my services – and were going to be there too!
From the moment I arrive, I found myself getting more and more concerned with some serious fault lines running through the event.
Firstly, it was very badly organised! There were thousands of people, not enough room in the seminars and talks, a poorly planned schedule, two toilets, not enough food, and – most worrying, no clear understanding of the themes and questions that attendees would want to know about.
There were a few speakers talking about issues of interest, but far too often these were overwhelmed by talks ‘selling’ the policy – or civil servants point a path through procedural systems (most of which could be found easily online). The vast majority of attendees were not there to find out what the EFA does (for eg), but to understand how the academy policy could improve the outcomes for their school community. As the DfE were a major sponsor of the event it was, perhaps, inevitable that the policy, (and the agencies involved in the delivery of this huge change in our education system) would be be ‘sold’ to us.
The cynics would say that there is no choice for schools. They would say that this event was just a way to explain to the Turkeys that Christmas was coming, and how to prepare to become a key part of the ‘feast’ – and to go willingly to the knife. There is no doubt that there were lots of ‘suppliers’ ready for that feast. The sight of Virgin and CocaCola made everyone uneasy. But, I am sure this argument will be well made by Fiona Miller and others.
I expected the DfE voices, the school leaders, school improvement ‘experts’ and industry speakers to be able to articulate a clear argument for becoming an Academy. After all, this was a great opportunity to do it, right? The audience were a self-selecting bunch open to the idea and there to find out.
But, there was either an enormous opportunity missed or we saw (as it were) the Emperor without his clothes. I know that it was not just me that felt this – but no one was able to make a clear statement of the benefit of becoming an Academy.
Rather there was a complete conflation between the ideas of a Good School and a Good Academy.
This policy gives academy schools new freedoms and the DfE talks a great deal about Innovation. There are many fantastic examples of amazing innovation in schools in England, and the Innovation Unit is a great source for evidence based practice!
There were plenty of school leaders there looking for ideas, help and guidance: for something different than what they are already doing. Not just better – because that is a well run route for school improvement.
Where are the examples of use of ‘power of freedoms’ for innovation and developing the education system. All we seemed to hear of examples of schools rushing to the traditional and deeply academic middle ground. Again, the cynics would say that this is what Mr Gove wants. But I am not so sure.
I think this was a failure of vision of the people at the DfE who are implementing this policy – not the policy itself. As Labour tried to show with academies, when money is well targetted, guidance and support made available, schools can find new ways to lead great change for the benefit of their kids and community.
So, thanks to this event, I am less optimistic than I was – which is not want the organisers would have wanted!
I still believe that free schools – where they open where there is a need and not at the expense of other schools – can and should take these freedoms and Innovate!
This is not about innovation for its own sake – but based on the desperate need to improve our education system – not just for our economic success – but for the fabric and fairness of our society.