UNISON shares concerns with other unions about the break up of the state education system driven by the right wing Conservative led coalition government. Michael Gove MP, the Education Secretary, is implementing changes to Academy status without any consultation with affected trade unions, staff and parents.
Barnsley St Mary's school is the latest school to become an Academy along with Greenacre. UNISON have been notified by the authority that Navigate will also sponsor several Academies within Barnsley. Academies are schools with no local links to the community or the council, but funded by the taxpayer.
UNISON believes that the LEA is supporting the conversion of all ALC's to Academy status. This course of action will force many Barnsley Primary schools to leave state education and will dilute parents choices.
UNISON is concerned about staff
Terms and Conditions.
Myth - There will be freedom from national pay and conditions for staff
Facts - Governors can determine a school’s pay scales (perhaps paying some more than others). This freedom is divisive between staff and between schools (and could lead to academies poaching good staff). Head teachers in academies tend to have higher salaries compared to other schools.
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 supports local groups opposing schools converting to Academies. 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. If you are concerned about your school becoming an Academy contact the Branch Education Convenor Brian Steele on 01226 772984 email
briansteele [at] barnsley [dot] gov [dot] uk