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administrators are divided on the ethics of the situation of the academy. But how many think they have no other option?

In September 2010, 32 schools in England have started brand new term "conversion" of the academies. From the beginning of the academic year 2011, had 981, and December 1, others had made the switch 163.

Since there are 20 000 and some schools in England, which may not seem like much. However, the speed at which the governing bodies of some local authorities have opted for Academy status in September means that in areas of the board 50, over a quarter of secondary schools had become. Others are doing it and are still awaiting a decision on if you can. This led to some managers feel tremendous pressure to get rid of their status as local authority maintained, even if they have serious reservations about it. Now the question arises: A turning point was reached when the leaders feel they have no options left, and all the dominoes fall

"I think [Michael] Gove was very smart to assimilate the academies again with" extraordinary ", while schools leading chased the money and prestige," said one administrator.

There is a fear expressed by some leaders that once a number of nearby schools chose, they could be considered less attractive by the parents. "We believe that with an increasing number of schools in Surrey, who had converted or planned for, there was a potential turning point to be addressed," said Alex Russell, director of Epsom and Ewell High School, which made the switch to start this fall semester. "This raises concerns for us as to what kind of central support would be in place once it had happened." Surrey has 53 schools, 30 of which have become or are considering the option.

in 23 local authority areas, more than half of secondary schools in September had become, but some - Warrington, Knowsley, Bury and Blackpool - not a single school had decided not to participate. This has changed now, with only Blackpool side still resist the conversion of the academy.

In London, some municipalities do not have a converter academies and others have several. Kate Frood, director of the Eleanor Palmer Primary School in Camden, says political resistance is strong and has "no sense that anyone in the running again."

"There is a camaraderie and a real commitment of our officers and support highly effective council and the diocese, who have always given priority to school funding," he said. "The issues such as the placement of SEN, exclusion and building improvements of fairness are well managed and that the feeling that the governing bodies really work for the school community. "

But, he adds, if you decide to change, things could change. "As soon as some schools go, the concern is that inevitably become more selective and more attractive to parents and those who remain become the poor relations -. In terms of revenue and overhead costs of special educational needs, for example, "

A head that does not tolerate the idea is Elliott Furneaux. It bears the "extraordinary" Heathfield Community School in Taunton, and for him it's about doing the right thing for the most vulnerable children in the region. "We feel we have a responsibility beyond our watersheds," he said. "The governors felt from the beginning for us, it was morally impossible to make a decision that we have heavily favored over others. And the vast majority of teachers believe that the new system will benefit vulnerable children."

If schools are under pressure to convert without being an expert and stable enough to take on additional responsibilities, which could be a disaster for students, teachers and the community alike, he said. Not all schools - even good - have the ability to hire staff, buildings, run and manage their finances. Of course, there is extra money to buy the support of private providers, the Department of Education has made it clear that the huge sums in the early days of the conversion of the Academy are no longer available.

However, it seems that some schools are so desperate to avoid cuts that convert to academy status, just to get their hands on the element combined funding that is "returned" them to the pot of local authorities.
In a survey of 1471 schools earlier this year by the Association of school principals and college, 72% of those planning the conversion of the Academy said they did to prevent cuts budget. Admitting that much has caused a stir in the full grammar of Prince Henry Otley, near Leeds, teachers have taken repeated strikes and half the governors have resigned in protest against plans to become an academy, which even supporters recognize mainly for financial reasons.

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