Academy status schools.....fractured education waiting to happen.

Ok, so it's been a while since I last blogged, for which I apologise. I really must make the time to leave at least a snippet of our daily comings and goings here for those who may be interested :P

Alas, things have not been brilliant my end. As far as home education goes, things are superb - no complaints, and everyone happy. However, things are not calm and beautiful in the garden - which is most definitely not an Eden - of mainstream school.
I do not profess to be an expert, but what the hell were the current coalition government thinking when they began handing out academy status's like sweets to each and every school which asked for it?
Never have I encountered such an awful idea in connection to the education and welfare of our children in this country.

Allow me a moment to briefly explain what has been happening in my sons life for a while now.
He has been attending his secondary school since September. He frequently receives weekly academic awards through the post (letters commending him on his performance in specific subjects, including homework, class behaviour etc).
He always hands in his homework on time, and participates thoroughly to the best of his ability.

However, it would appear that in recent weeks, he has come under the radar of his head of year.
I'm not going to go into unnecessary details..I'm simply going to shortlist what has happened;
1. His verbal retaliation towards other children who call him names (one such incident unfolded thus; child called Dan a skiver, Dan called him pukey) - this has resulted in 'supervised' breaks and lunchtimes for Dan only.
2.  On Saturday during a trip to Alton towers, (kids were put into groups of 4 and left to their own devices) Dan and 2 others decided they had had enough of standing outside the toilets for the 4th child in their group, (child in question kept wanting refills of his drink, which led to the inevitable and continuous returns to the toilets, he also didn't want to go on any of the rides) so they left him there - this resulted in an 'isolation' for Dan only yesterday at school. The decision to leave the 4th child there, was not just Dans.
3.  Dan has been excused from wearing school shoes on medical grounds, due to an issue with his feet, (he is currently awaiting a podiatry appointment later this month). - this has led to several reprimands and lengthily questioning as to why he continues to wear trainers, also threats of daily exclusions if he continues to wear them - despite having an official doctors note explaining the situation. 
4.  Lunchtime detentions for not having done him homework - despite not actually being there when homework was given out, and despite having asked for a copy of it from the teacher. (who failed to give him a copy of the homework). 
And all other manner of connected issues in between which I can't be bothered to mention.

Now, we all know that in recent years it has become harder and harder for kids to be allowed to speak their own minds, act naturally, and defend themselves. But this is getting ridiculous!
Dan was even accused of being racist recently, because he called a west Indian child...a Jamaican *confused face*.

Anyway, we decided to have a bit of a phone about to find out what we could do about it, and whether we could get any representation. Well..we can't because they have academy status.  Which basically means they are set apart from the Local Authority. They govern themselves  (well, their group of parent governors do anyway).
They choose what to spend their money on, and whether to financially help certain children.
They have absolutely no one to answer to.
So if I complain, there is nothing stopping them from taking a sharp view of my complaint and making life even harder for Dan because of it.
I am sure there are ways to complain; like using your local MP, or going direct to government or something, and I am sure some nice person will comment here and let me know. But right now, I am fuming about the whole thing.

Needless to say, if things don't improve my mind will be made up for me.

Loz