Academies offer rejected by Camden's schools

Published: 17 June 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY

CAMDEN’S top-rated primary and secondary schools have declined the offer from new Education Secretary Michael Gove to become independently-sponsored academies.

Unions say that none of the 15 schools in Camden who would qualify for the switch with their “outstanding” Ofsted have shown interest in the change.

Andrew Baisley from Camden NUT said: “I am delighted. I know that many Camden schools value the support of the local authority and believe that being part of a collaborative family of schools is an asset.”

He added: “Academies have not been shown to raise standards. There are serious concerns about their lack of accountability and I think the government is storing up a lot of problems for the future.”