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The Academies appointed Bev Bell as interim headteacher from December 2012. She took the Academies into the next OFSTED inspection in February 2013. It did not go as well as the previous inspection, as one of the Academies was found to be making inadequate progress out of Special Measures.<ref>[http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10226220.Basildon_Academies_still_failing_with_Upper_Academy__not_making_enough_progress_/ Basildon Academies still failing with Upper Academy not making enough progress] The Basildon Echo, 15th February 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.</ref> She then suspended a teacher for communicating with OFSTED, thus attracting the attention of the national press and criticism from the UK national charity [http://www.pcaw.org.uk/ Public Concern at Work]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9965200/Teacher-suspended-after-shopping-school-to-Ofsted.html Teacher suspended after shopping school to Ofsted,] The Daily Telegraph, 1st April 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013. See also [http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10323462.Basildon_Academies_whistleblower_suspended/ Basildon Academies whistleblower suspended,] The Basildon Recorder, 1st April 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.</ref>
The Academies appointed Bev Bell as interim headteacher from December 2012. She took the Academies into the next OFSTED inspection in February 2013. It did not go as well as the previous inspection, as one of the Academies was found to be making inadequate progress out of Special Measures.<ref>[http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10226220.Basildon_Academies_still_failing_with_Upper_Academy__not_making_enough_progress_/ Basildon Academies still failing with Upper Academy not making enough progress] The Basildon Echo, 15th February 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.</ref> She then suspended a teacher for communicating with OFSTED, thus attracting the attention of the national press and criticism from the UK national charity [http://www.pcaw.org.uk/ Public Concern at Work]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9965200/Teacher-suspended-after-shopping-school-to-Ofsted.html Teacher suspended after shopping school to Ofsted,] The Daily Telegraph, 1st April 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013. See also [http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10323462.Basildon_Academies_whistleblower_suspended/ Basildon Academies whistleblower suspended,] The Basildon Recorder, 1st April 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.</ref>


==Ofsted ==
==Curriculum and Academic Standards==
The Senior Leadership Team, is continually working hard to improve the current Ofsted rating. At the last Ofsted monitoring inspection in January 2013, the Lower Academy was identified as making progress towards the removal of special measures. The Upper Academy currently requires further improvement <ref>http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/135897</ref> and there are a number of initiatives being implemented to ensure that all the areas identified are addressed. Since the inspection, the academies have restructured the leadership teams on both sites to strengthen and accelerate the rate of change <ref>http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/9719589.Basildon_Academies_are_failing_as_they_fall_into_special_measures/</ref>.
During 2012 significant changes were made to the curriculum of the academies. This included the introduction of more demanding IGCSE courses as well as the introduction of new subjects, such as Latin.<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/basildon/9858186.Struggling_school___s_Latin____lessons_to_lift_standards/ Struggling school’s Latin lessons to lift standards] The Echo, 7th August 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012.</ref> The Academies also opened brand new vocational facilities, including courses in child care and carpentry, so that students who do not wish to go to university can progress directly into work.<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/basildon/9867866.Head_bids_to_give_pupils_step_up_the_jobs_ladder/%20 Head bids to give pupils step up the jobs ladder] The Echo 14th August 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012.</ref>

In 2011 the Academies recruited top teachers, such as Shereen Breslin, to radically improve the quality of teaching across the Academies;<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/basildon/9943598.My_life_teaching_in__poverty_hit_capital/ My life teaching in poverty hit capital] The Echo, 22nd September, accessed 6th Dec 2012.</ref> and Ginny Parry to develop and improve the Sixth Form provision.<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/basildon/9990792.Row_over_curriculum_caused_headteacher_to_quit/ Academies governor says row over curriculum caused headteacher to quit] The Echo, 19th October 2012, retrieved 18th Jan 2013.</ref> Strong increases in exam results in the summer of 2012 led to the Academies topping the league tables in the town<ref>[http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10184047.Basildon_Academies_tops_league_table_for_GCSE_results_in_town/ Basildon Academies tops league table for GCSE results in town] The Echo, 26th January 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013</ref> and
a sudden increase in the numbers of students seeking to sign up to the Sixth Form at the last minute.<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/basildon/9903041.Four_hour_queue_at_Basildon_Academies_for_sixth_form_places/ Four-hour queue at Basildon Academies for sixth form places] The Echo, 31st August 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012.</ref> Mrs Parry's announcement of her resignation in January 2013 led to considerable disappointment at the loss of yet more outstanding teachers from the Academy staff;<ref>[http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10161027.Head_of_sixth_form_at_the_Basildon_Academies_quits/?ref=rss%20 Head of Sixth Form at the Basildon Academies quits], The Basildon Recorder, 16th January 2013, accessed on 18th January 2013. See also [https://www.facebook.com/Gateway978 Gateway 97.8 News], 16th January 2013, accessed 18th January 2013.</ref> especially when rather than bring in more outstanding teachers, the Academies chose to replace her with an internal appointment<ref>[http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/10302390.Basildon_Academies_appoint_new_Director_of_Sixth_Form/ Basildon Academies appoint new Director of Sixth Form]The Echo 22nd March 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.</ref>

The outcome of OFSTED inspections have been as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! OFSTED inspection !! Upper Academy !! Lower Academy
|-
| March 2011 || Inadequate Progress || Inadequate Progress
|-
| March 2012 || Inadequate - Special Measures || Inadequate - Special Measures
|-
| October 2012 || Reasonable Progress || Reasonable Progress
|-
| February 2013 || Inadequate Progress || Reasonable Progress
|-
| May 2013 || ||
|}


==Sports and Activities==
==Sports and Activities==

Revision as of 16:19, 26 April 2013

The Basildon Academies
Location
Basildon
,
Essex
,
SS13 3HL

England
Information
TypeAcademy
MottoIntegrity - Tenacity - Courage
Established2009
Local authorityEssex
Department for Education URN115316 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherDr. Rory Fox
Staff~300
Age11 to 18
Enrollment~2500
Colour(s)black and gold
Websitehttp://www.basildonacademies.org.uk/

The Basildon Academies is a network of schools located in Basildon, Essex, UK. It consists of two secondary schools: the Lower Academy (for 11-14 year olds), and the Upper Academy (for 14-19 year olds).

Background to the Academies

The Basildon Academies developed out of a partnership between Chalvedon School and Barstable School. In Sept 2008 the partnership was formalised into a federation. In 2009 the two schools merged and were re-opened as Sponsored Academies, with Martin Finegold as the Sponsor. The two sites were totally redeveloped[1] and some £45m was spent rebuilding and refurbishing facilities.[2]

The Academies 2009-2013

The Academies opened in 2009 with Alan Roach as Executive Principal, Zoe King as Principal of the Lower Academy and Mike Feehan as Principal of the Upper Academy (taking over from Sarah Minty who did not take up her post as Principal). OFSTED reported that the Academies were making 'inadequate progress' in the Spring of 2011.[3] The Leadership of the Academies subsequently changed and Alan Roach announced his retirement in August 2011.[4]

Rory Fox took over as Principal of both Academies in Sept 2011 and focused immediately upon improving student behaviour.[5] Some parents were initially unsupportive of new rules and routines,[6] and OFSTED placed the Academies into Special Measures in March 2012.[7] Nevertheless the Academies made progress, cracking down on truancy,[8] dealing with poor behaviour[9] and going on to achieve some of the best exam results in Basildon in the summer of 2012.[10] The Academies then had a very successful OFSTED Monitoring inspection in October 2012 which said that Dr Fox's 'clear vision and strong leadership' had led to enormous improvements.[11] In October 2012 Rory Fox announced that he would be leaving at Easter 2013, which seems to have been due to concerns about the governors' views on the teaching of Maths and English,[12] the educational inexperience of the Sponsor, Martin Finegold, and about the lack of support which the Sponsor was providing to the Academies. Mr Les Livermore, the chair of Governors at the Academies, disagreed with these claims.[13] Concerns about the stability of the Academies were raised by the General Secretary of the Essex and Southend, National Union of Teachers, Gerry Glazier[14] and also by the local Member of Parliament, Stephen Metcalfe.[15] The Mayor of Basildon Borough in 2012, Mo Larkin, has called for the Sponsor and Chair of Governors to step down.[16] and even Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, has expressed concerns about the situation at the Academies in January 2013.[17]

The Academies appointed Bev Bell as interim headteacher from December 2012. She took the Academies into the next OFSTED inspection in February 2013. It did not go as well as the previous inspection, as one of the Academies was found to be making inadequate progress out of Special Measures.[18] She then suspended a teacher for communicating with OFSTED, thus attracting the attention of the national press and criticism from the UK national charity Public Concern at Work[19]

Ofsted

The Senior Leadership Team, is continually working hard to improve the current Ofsted rating. At the last Ofsted monitoring inspection in January 2013, the Lower Academy was identified as making progress towards the removal of special measures. The Upper Academy currently requires further improvement [20] and there are a number of initiatives being implemented to ensure that all the areas identified are addressed. Since the inspection, the academies have restructured the leadership teams on both sites to strengthen and accelerate the rate of change [21].

Sports and Activities

The Academies are developing a strong sporting tradition which in 2011 saw an academy football team reach the quarter finals of the English Schools' FA under 16 Cup.[22] In 2012 students achieved a range of awards at the Essex Schools Championship.[23] The Academies are also developing a wider range of sports which includes scuba diving.[24]

References

  1. ^ Green light for "super school” The Echo 11th July 2007, retrieved 20th Nov 2011
  2. ^ Basildon Lower Academy Pupils give their seal of approval to £45m revamp The Echo 4th Jan 2010, retrieved 20th Nov 2011
  3. ^ OFSTED lashes £45m Basildon Academies The Echo 9th May 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011 and also Mum’s worries over academy’s teaching The Echo, 12th May 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011
  4. ^ Staff were in tears when Principal quit Academies The Echo (Letters) 19th Sept 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011. See also Principal of troubled Basildon Academies quits job The Echo 15th Sept 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011
  5. ^ Parent backs strict regime at academies The Echo 20th Sept 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011. See also The wrong trousers? No ruler? Get out of my class... The Daily Mail 16th Sept 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011, The only way is Essex – Basildon puts discipline on school curriculum The Elephant Hunter, 16th Sept 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011. See also Future Leaders News News Update 15th Sept 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011 and More than ties, shoes and hair Textbook Creative News, 11th Nov 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011
  6. ^ Basildon Academies headteacher defends discipline which caused controversy The Echo 10th May 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012
  7. ^ First full Ofsted inspection since £50m revamp rates super-school 'inadequate' The Echo 23rd May 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012
  8. ^ Academies head vowing to continue truant crackdown The Echo, 27th July 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012.
  9. ^ Pupils smarten up act at Basildon academies The Echo, 6th September 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012. See also Its not all about schools, luck and character help determine life chances The Guardian Politics Blog, 11th May 2012, accessed 18th Jan 2013.
  10. ^ Basildon Upper Academy improves GCSE pass rate by 12 per cent in one year The Echo 25th August 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012. See also Headteacher gagged from speaking about school success The Echo, 14th Nov 2012, accessed 6th Dec 2012
  11. ^ EXCLUSIVE - Principal of Basildon Academies sensationally quits The Echo 18th October 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012
  12. ^ Head of Basildon Academies quits after teaching row with sponsor The Telegraph, 25th October 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012. See also Row over hours led to headteacher resignation The Echo, 24th October 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012 and Academies governor says row over curriculum caused headteacher to quit The Echo, 19th October 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012 and Education bosses say they have "serious concerns" about Basildon Academies The Echo 22nd October 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012 and South Essex MP expresses sadness over departure of Academies headteacher The Echo, 18th October 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012
  13. ^ Serious concerns of outgoing Basildon Academies head laid bare in damning letter to school governors The Echo, 28th Nov 2012, accessed 6th Dec 2012. See also Academies headteacher leaves five months early after row with governors about teaching hours The Echo 17th Nov 2012, accessed 6th Dec 2012.
  14. ^ Union chief calls for action over academies The Echo, 5th December 2012, accessed 6th December 2012
  15. ^ The latest at the Basildon Academies - now Government education chiefs will be visiting the school next week The Echo, 2nd December 2012, accessed 6th Dec 2012
  16. ^ Mayor of Basildon calls for sponsor and chairman of governors at Academies to step down The Echo, 30th November 2012, accessed 6th Dec 2012.
  17. ^ Anglia News Story, 11th Jan 2013, accessed 18th Jan 2013. See also The Echo front page, 14th January 2013.
  18. ^ Basildon Academies still failing with Upper Academy not making enough progress The Basildon Echo, 15th February 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.
  19. ^ Teacher suspended after shopping school to Ofsted, The Daily Telegraph, 1st April 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013. See also Basildon Academies whistleblower suspended, The Basildon Recorder, 1st April 2013, retrieved 2nd April 2013.
  20. ^ http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/135897
  21. ^ http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/9719589.Basildon_Academies_are_failing_as_they_fall_into_special_measures/
  22. ^ Basildon Academies in Bid for National Cup Glory The Echo, 9th Feb 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011
  23. ^ Southend district dominates at Essex Schools Championships The Echo, 22nd June 2012, retrieved 27th October 2012.
  24. ^ Wannabe scuba divers make Olympic effort Yellow Advertiser 30th June 2011, retrieved 20th Nov 2011

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