Academies and autism
Posted by
asteroids
on 25th May 2010
at 13:04
Th e only academies I know about are those built to replace failing schools. In two very separate areas of the country, I have seen this happen. A brand new building, new uniforms, new teachers......same students, same problems.
Do you think this new Bill will improve education? I'm interested in the idea of parents being able to set up schools but I'm also concerned that this may lead to more problems for schools which are already struggling. I also think it might lead to more exclusive schools.
Asteroids Sara - Community Champion
Posted by
Robbie de Santos
on 25th May 2010
at 14:08
Hi Sara,
Thanks for getting back so quickly. Failing schools urban schools were what the academy programme was set up under Labour to address, but the Conservatives like the principle so much they want more schools to become academies.
I'm really not sure about how these policies will improve education for children and young people with autism. Currently there are only about 200 academies operating in England - a tiny percentage of all local schools and results have been mixed. Data about disabled children's attainment and experiences (as a distinct group, let alone any sub-categories) is not published, so it's really hard to find out how they have worked.
I think no matter what school system you have, whether children with autism make good progress depends on the training and understanding of teachers in autism and knowledge of different approaches and interventions. If this isn't in place, it's hard to see how any changes can really improve education for children with autism.
In terms of the academies you've heard about in separate areas in the country, do you know anything about how children with autism have fared in them?
Thanks!
Robbie
Policy and Parliamentary Officer
TreeHouse
Posted by
asteroids
on 25th May 2010
at 14:46
Hi Robbie,
I don't know how children with autism have fared in these academies. Interestingly, some parents in the catchment area for one have chosen to send their children with autism to other schools.
I seem to remember hearing that the exclusion rate was incredibly high.....a zero tolerance approach......which doesn't always take account of SEN.
It looks like we need to do some research.......
Asteroids Sara - Community Champion
Posted by
Leanne
on 25th May 2010
at 15:37
Hi Robbie,
My eldest who has Aspergers attends a business and enterprise academy... the school was under special measures at the time that it received academy status and over the last couple of years seems to be getting its act together, they have had a new head teacher in that time and she really has made a difference.
Our son is doing really well but I feel this is more down to how much his Dad and I work with him at home. Any issues we do have are dealt with swiftly and we do have good access to his form tutor which is cool..
Our daughter also attends the school and from what she says there are several children who attend who do have challenging behaviour and are encouraged to be in the school and take part in lessons.... expelling as soon as something happens does not seem to be the school ethos at all.
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
asteroids
on 26th May 2010
at 07:53
I've just been watching a news report about this. The plan is to fast track academy status for any schools which have been judged outstanding by Ofsted. Thus would enable them to become academies by September.
As far as I know, the Lamb Report recommendations regarding Ofsted inspections have not come into force yet. Therefore, schools judged outstanding are not necessarily providing outstanding services for children with special needs. Once these schools become academies, what will happen to those children?
Asteroids Sara - Community Champion
Posted by
Robbie de Santos
on 26th May 2010
at 09:51
Hi both,
Leanne - very interesting to hear your son's experiences. It's encouraging to know that his school seeks to avoid exclusion. Does he get much additional support and, if so, how easy was it to get that support for him?
Sara - I had exactly the same thought about Ofsted inspections! I think it is a concern, but many schools which are generally rated 'outstanding' will have been 'outstanding' for SEN too. Of course there are many that won't and this is where the concerns lie! This emphasises the need for proper SEN accountability mechanisms to fit within the academies framework.
Robbie
Policy and Parliamentary Officer
TreeHouse
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 26th May 2010
at 09:51
I noticed TreeHouse put this article up today:
Posted by
Leanne
on 26th May 2010
at 12:17
Hi Robbie,
When he first started the school he was offered a place on a social and emotional literacy course but other than that he gets no extra support.... we never thought he would get support as he is too high functioning and does not display violent or disruptive behaviour..
As I said though we do have a good relationship with his form tutor and we contact her if we have any queries.
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
bumblebee
on 26th May 2010
at 15:36
Hi Robbie,
THe academies in this area seem to be where a failing school has merged with a thriving school....there are a lot of angry parents and the LEA have also added 'hubs' onto these for 'vulnerable students'. I dont think this is going to help our children at all as they are now twice the size the schools were origionally and they were too big for teens with ASD anyway....What I dont understand is why LEA's set up hubs and autism units and attach them to failing schools? I asked one member of the LEA this and she said its because they are the only ones who would allow them to be there....why do they get the choice if they are maintained schools? Why do our kids automatically get put into failing schools just because they have ASD or Aspergers and need the security of a unit or hub to allow them to integrate?
Sorry, I know this wasnt the original question but it does baffle me! I dont think they have worked out yet that many less parents would be fighting them at Tribunal if they put these hubs onto decent schools...
Claire - Community Champion
Posted by
joolz
on 26th May 2010
at 22:48
I am worried.
I am not sure how Academies fit with Lamb Report which suggested more accountability eg re exclusions rather than less.
Giving Heads the last word eg on exclusions is all very well unless they are ignorant about SEN - with Academies you have far fewer rights eg to go to Ombudsman. Lamb was bringing more school issues into Ombudsman remit now the tide is going back the other way.
Think SEND cannot name an Academy on a statement without their consent - whereas they can name a maintained school.
Would imagine would be harder to direct eg how SEN funding was used in academy. eg harder to ring fence 1:1 for specific child.
I think they could achieve the same aims - give more freedom back to schools over curriculum etc without removing the safeguards and oversight
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Posted by
Robbie de Santos
on 25th May 2010
at 12:28
Hello everyone,
Today was the Queen's Speech, and the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government have unveiled their first education bill, which is called the Academies Bill. The Academies Bill contains provisions to make it easier for secondary schools to become academies, but will also introduce the opportunity for special schools and primary schools to apply for academy status.
The main difference about academies is that they offer more freedom for individual schools from local authorities in terms of curriculum, admissions and ethos. They are generally backed by wealthy individuals, companies or charitable trusts, who have a say on the school's ethos and policies.
I was wondering if anyone here, or anyone you know, has any experiences of their child attending an academy or applying to attend an academy. If you have, it would be great to hear more about you and your child's experiences, espaecially in terms of:
Or if you have anything else to share on academies, I'd love to hear it!
Thank you!
Robbie