So it's One Barnet but every school for itself?

I see a contradiction between Barnet council's moves toward sharing back office functions with other Barnet organisations and the drive to joined-up local governance - One Barnet - and their enthusiasm for getting all Barnet schools to become Academies.

This article in the Guardian shows school governors on the whole sceptical about the benefits of academies, and the separation of schools from the support of local authorities is one of the key reasons why:

Dennis Fox, a governor at Lantern Lane primary school in East Leake, Nottinghamshire, which is rated outstanding, said he would resign if it were to gain academy status.

"It's always reported as freeing schools from the constraints of local authorities, but I see it more as depriving schools of their support," he said. "Politicians don't seem to realise that the more you impose responsibility on schools the more they need that support. Academies imply an enormous extra responsibility for governors. This is not what I became a governor for."

Barnet council trade unions have issued a press statement responding to the news that the council is encouraging local schools to become academies. Read it here.

Meanwhile, some Barnet schools seem to be getting ahead of themselves. The legislation has not been written yet, but Ravenscroft School and East Barnet School are already clamouring to become Academies.

Do the parents or governors know what they would be getting themselves into? If you want to help with the unions' campaign at either of these schools, or want to know more please email info@barnettuc.org.uk. The unions will be leafleting today at 3pm at East Barnet school, and next week at Ravenscroft.