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Academies - defend your school

All schools in England are now being encouraged by the government to apply to become academies. Academies are schools with no local links to the community or the council, but funded by the taxpayer. In effect, they are state funded private schools.

Governing bodies of your local school may be deciding now whether or not to convert their school to an academy. This means that your children could be attending an academy very soon, often without any consultation with parents or staff.

Once a local school has become an academy, there is no way back.

UNISON has grave concerns about the fragmentation and privatisation of our school system and support local actions opposing schools converting to academies.

Link to a Facebook site Become a fan of the Defend Your School Facebook site

Academies campaign news

Is your MP opposing ‘forced academies’?

(01/02/2012) Parents, governors and school staff in Haringey are outraged following the Government’s threats to force local primary schools to become academies against their will.  UNISON is urging members and parents to contact your MP today. Ask them to sign Early Day Motion 2632 on Forced Academies and call on the Government to stop forcing primary schools to become academies.

Academies mythbuster

Education is under attack from the Tory-led government. It is pushing more and more schools to become independent academies without proper consideration or consultation.

You, UNISON and Academy Schools - Am I still a member?

Your employer may be seeking to change the status of their school to become an academy school.

New campaign materials - What you can do!

Make sure your local school consults parents, carers, staff and the community before applying for academy status.

Anti-Academies Alliance

UNISON is continuing to work closely with Anti-Academies Alliance (AAA) in England on campaigns. The AAA is keen to provide speakers for branches and local schools meetings on Academies. Branches can also affiliate directly to the AAA.

PAC report on Academy schools - UNISON response

UNISON, the UK's leading public service union, is today warning that the mounting costs and lack of financial scrutiny of Academy schools, are making their future look less tenable.

Christina McAnea says 'Education is a team game'

"Education is a team game" said Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Education and Childrens Services, in response to new Education White Paper.

UNISON Calls for Justice for School Staff as Government Strangles SSSNB at Birth

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, is determined to axe the School Support Staff Negotiating Body which should have finalised its work on news terms for school support staff this year.

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CONTACT DETAILS
• For urgent help and advice at work to go Help at Work.
• UNISON's education workforce unit is managed by Christina McAnea.
UNISON Education workforce
UNISON Centre,
130 Euston Road,
London NW1 2AY
Email: education@unison.co.uk
Downloads

TUC recognition agreement for academies

This is the model agreement which should be used for negotiations if a school becomes an academy.
Link to a PDF document on this siteTUC recognition agreement for academies

Guidance note to the TUC Model Agreement

This document summarises the main issues that should be in any transfer agreement.
Link to a PDF document on this siteGuidance note to the TUC Model Agreement

Academy schools - a UNISON presentation, July 2011

This is a UNISON presentation on Academy schools outlining our concerns and setting out the arguments against schools seeking academy status.
Link to a document on this siteAcademy Schools - a UNISON presentation July 2011

Defend Your School, Defend Your Community: leaflet

Join UNISON’s campaign against academies. Two-sided leaflet.
Link to a PDF document on this siteDefend Your School, Defend Your Community: leaflet

 
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