Academy status in schools?

[honeyb35]

I know LOADS of schools are doing it now, but if a school applies for academy status and is successful, what does it actually mean for the school and students?

The bumf the school has supplied all sounds very promising, but I'm aware the school will only publicily focus on the good points!

There is a meeting for parents, but typically its the one night of the week I'd struggle to attend!

We do have until March and I will be sending questions to the school, but I'd quite like impartial views as well, to make sure what I'm asking doesn't sound stupid!

Currently the school specialises in an area that is very important to my child - is this likely to change at all or be done away with altogether?

They have mentioned changing the name / uniform which I'm aware could be done anytime even staying as a LEA school but as my child is only in year 7 and I spent nearly £100 on uniform items a few months ago, I'm really opposed to this <<tight

One of the things mentioned is that academy status means they can move away from teaching the national curriculum. Now I can see how this could be positive, in terms of teaching what is important and holds interest at that point in time, but how does that relate in terms of GCSE's? Do they even apply? Are they regulated at all? I'm guessing OFSTEAD no longer applies so who does the school have to answer to in terms of performance, results etc?

What about school trips? Or extracurricular activities?

Thanks in advance!