Question About Academies

[cazzz1975]

Just curious to know how schools that convert to academy status have such 'amazing' turnarounds in the space of a year, A lot of these schools are classed as failing, they are often graded 3 or 4 from Ofsted and GCSE pass rates for A*-C are low, as low as 14%

Exactly 12 months later as an academy the school boasts 94% A*-C passes and the schools grading from Ofsted goes from 4 to 1 (outstanding) I am a little cynical of the sudden improvement. This has happened to several schools I know, all now graded 1.

[boxtops]

I know they put in a new head teacher and presumably pump funds in, too.

[cazzz1975]

true but essentially its the same children, the children who have had 4 previously badly taught years education before it became an academy, then they get the miraculous passes one year later.

[rockyracoon]

Is it a case of massaging figures I wonder, if you only enter kids that will pass you'll get up in the 90% for pass rates as opposed to entering them all and getting low results.

[cazzz1975]

surely they all (good or bad) have to do a GCSE exam before the end of year 11?

[rockyracoon]

I just had a google, there was an article (from 2008 though) that said 40,000 kids weren't entered for English and Maths as they weren't considered good enough, don't know if it still goes on but it wouldn't surprise me. I'll see if I can find the link again.

[rockyracoon]

Here it is

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/40000-pupils-not-entered-for-gcse-maths-and-english-808635.html

I'm also wondering, if the kids are entered but fail to turn up would that drag the pass rate down or is it not counted.