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AcademiesAcademies(Mainly!)(Mainly!)

Helen HornsbyHelen Hornsby

Steve PiperSteve Piper

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Objectives – Objectives – • What are academiesWhat are academies

• Free SchoolsFree Schools

• TrustsTrusts

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The Academies Bill?The Academies Bill?• The Government suggest that the Academies Bill would:The Government suggest that the Academies Bill would:

““Enable more schoolsEnable more schools to achieve academy status and give to achieve academy status and give them greater freedoms over the curriculum”, them greater freedoms over the curriculum”, and and “create a “create a world beating school system in which every parent has world beating school system in which every parent has access to a good school and all pupils achieve high access to a good school and all pupils achieve high standards”. standards”.

The new Academies are not an extension of the previous The new Academies are not an extension of the previous Government’s programme of Academies which were those Government’s programme of Academies which were those schools that were underperforming and often in schools that were underperforming and often in disadvantaged areas. Initially the new Academies will be disadvantaged areas. Initially the new Academies will be those current schools which are high performing. those current schools which are high performing.

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What is an academy?What is an academy?As defined by the DfT:As defined by the DfT:

“ “ Academies are publicly funded independent schools Academies are publicly funded independent schools that provide a first-class education. Academies can that provide a first-class education. Academies can benefit from greater freedoms to help you innovate and benefit from greater freedoms to help you innovate and raise standards.raise standards.

IdeologyIdeologyThis Government believes that teachers and head This Government believes that teachers and head teachers, not politicians and bureaucrats, should teachers, not politicians and bureaucrats, should control schools and have more power over how they control schools and have more power over how they are run. That’s why we are spreading academy are run. That’s why we are spreading academy freedoms. This will give heads more power to tackle freedoms. This will give heads more power to tackle disruptive children, to protect and reward teachers disruptive children, to protect and reward teachers better, and to give children the specialist teaching they better, and to give children the specialist teaching they need – Michael Goveneed – Michael Gove

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Which schools can become an Academies?Which schools can become an Academies?

Only schools (primary, secondary and special Only schools (primary, secondary and special schools) that have been rated outstanding schools) that have been rated outstanding overall in their most recent Ofsted inspection overall in their most recent Ofsted inspection are eligible to convert to academies through are eligible to convert to academies through this processthis process

Can non-outstanding schools Can non-outstanding schools apply?apply? Not yet. All schools will eventually be eligible Not yet. All schools will eventually be eligible to apply to be considered for academy status to apply to be considered for academy status but the applications for all other schools will but the applications for all other schools will open at a later date in the year. open at a later date in the year.

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Academy Freedoms – What are they?Academy Freedoms – What are they?

• Freedom from local authority controlFreedom from local authority control

• Ability to set pay and conditions for staff (break from School Ability to set pay and conditions for staff (break from School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions )Teachers’ Pay and Conditions )

• Freedom from following the National CurriculumFreedom from following the National Curriculum

• Ability to change the lengths of terms and school days.Ability to change the lengths of terms and school days.

• The academy is its own admission authority. That means that it The academy is its own admission authority. That means that it becomes responsible for its own admission arrangementsbecomes responsible for its own admission arrangements

. .

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Academy FinanceAcademy FinanceFinance:Finance:

• The principle of academies' funding is that The principle of academies' funding is that academies should receive the same level of academies should receive the same level of per-pupil funding as they would receive from per-pupil funding as they would receive from the local authority as a maintained school. In the local authority as a maintained school. In addition, they receive top-up funding to meet addition, they receive top-up funding to meet additional responsibilities that are no longer additional responsibilities that are no longer provided for them by the local authority.provided for them by the local authority.

• Funded directlyFunded directly

Finance: Academies receiveFinance: Academies receive

• An amount equivalent to the school's current budget An amount equivalent to the school's current budget s

• Local authority central spend equivalent grant Local authority central spend equivalent grant (LACSEG) hare(LACSEG) hare

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Academy FinanceAcademy Finance

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Becoming and AcademyBecoming and AcademyWhat process do I have to follow to become an What process do I have to follow to become an academy?academy?

•Schools rated outstanding by Ofsted in their Schools rated outstanding by Ofsted in their last inspection can convert last inspection can convert •1)1) Registration. Registration. Although any school is eligible to register an Although any school is eligible to register an interest, the DfE will first consider applications from those schools judged to interest, the DfE will first consider applications from those schools judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. These schools are classed as ‘pre-approved’ be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. These schools are classed as ‘pre-approved’ whereas additional criteria for conversion may apply to other schools. These whereas additional criteria for conversion may apply to other schools. These criteria have not yet been published. criteria have not yet been published.

•2) 2) Application Application Governing Body resolution; theGoverning Body resolution; the

•agreement of your Foundation and Trustees (if applicable);agreement of your Foundation and Trustees (if applicable);

•3) 3) Obtaining agreement - Obtaining agreement - legal documents are legal documents are completed relating to governance, land, property and staff transfer and completed relating to governance, land, property and staff transfer and company registrationcompany registration

•4) 4) Pre-opening – Pre-opening – finalising contractual arrangements finalising contractual arrangements

•The NGA The NGA wouldwould recommend that a special single issue meeting of the recommend that a special single issue meeting of the governing body is held to discuss whether to apply for academy status.governing body is held to discuss whether to apply for academy status.

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Becoming and AcademyBecoming and AcademyConsultation:Consultation:

The Act includes a requirement that governing The Act includes a requirement that governing bodies must consult before they convert to bodies must consult before they convert to academy status and that the consultation must academy status and that the consultation must be about whether the school should convert. be about whether the school should convert. The Act does not specify who the governing The Act does not specify who the governing body should consult, merely stating that it body should consult, merely stating that it should be ‘such persons as they think should be ‘such persons as they think appropriate’.appropriate’.

TUPE consultationTUPE consultationMust consult with any foundation Must consult with any foundation

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Becoming and AcademyBecoming and Academy• Commercial transfer agreement – Commercial transfer agreement – transfer of assets contractstransfer of assets contracts

•Licence to Occupy – in lieu of leaseLicence to Occupy – in lieu of lease

•Long Term Lease Long Term Lease

•Local Government Pensions Scheme Local Government Pensions Scheme

•Insurance arrangementsInsurance arrangements

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Academy The TrustAcademy The TrustThe Academy Tust:The Academy Tust:

Academies are classed as ‘independent’ state Academies are classed as ‘independent’ state schools; they are charitable companies schools; they are charitable companies limited by guarantee. This means that, rather limited by guarantee. This means that, rather than being directly funded and accountable to than being directly funded and accountable to the local authority, they are funded and the local authority, they are funded and accountable to the Secretary of State. accountable to the Secretary of State.

..(Trust School Conversion: Trust schools are (Trust School Conversion: Trust schools are

foundation schools needs the permission of foundation schools needs the permission of their foundation or trusteestheir foundation or trustees

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GovernanceGovernanceHow will the school’s governance change?How will the school’s governance change?

What is the role of the academy trust?What is the role of the academy trust? An academy trust is a charitable company An academy trust is a charitable company responsible for the running of the academy responsible for the running of the academy and has control over the land and other and has control over the land and other assets. It has a strategic role in running the assets. It has a strategic role in running the academy, but delegates day-to-day academy, but delegates day-to-day management of the school to the governors.management of the school to the governors.

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GovernanceGovernanceHow will the school’s governance change?How will the school’s governance change?

The principles of governance are the same at an The principles of governance are the same at an academy as at a maintained school.academy as at a maintained school.

Main difference is that all academies are charitable Main difference is that all academies are charitable companies and as such have a trust bodycompanies and as such have a trust body

It is likely that the make-up of your governing It is likely that the make-up of your governing body will be differentbody will be different

No Sponsor is requiredNo Sponsor is required

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Roles and Responsibilities Roles and Responsibilities How will the school’s governance change?How will the school’s governance change?

•ensure the quality of educational provision ensure the quality of educational provision

•challenge and monitor the performance of the challenge and monitor the performance of the academy academy

•manage the academy trust’s finances and property manage the academy trust’s finances and property

•employ staff.employ staff.

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GovernanceGovernanceHow will the school’s governance change?How will the school’s governance change?

Is likely that the make-up of your governing body Is likely that the make-up of your governing body will be differentwill be different

•x governors appointed by the Academy Trustx governors appointed by the Academy Trust

•1 LA governor1 LA governor

•A minimum of 2 parent governors (elected)A minimum of 2 parent governors (elected)

•Optional staff governors (appointed by the Trust – staff governors Optional staff governors (appointed by the Trust – staff governors may not comprise more than one third of the total governing body)may not comprise more than one third of the total governing body)

• Headteachers will be ex-officio governors Headteachers will be ex-officio governors

•Provision for up to three co-opted governors (appointed by the Provision for up to three co-opted governors (appointed by the governing body). governing body).

•There is also provision for the Secretary of State to appoint There is also provision for the Secretary of State to appoint additional governors in certain circumstances.additional governors in certain circumstances.

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Local AuthorityLocal AuthorityRelationshipRelationshipthere is no statutory requirement for any formal there is no statutory requirement for any formal relationship between LAs and academies beyond LA relationship between LAs and academies beyond LA statutory duties such as SEN statementing, admissions statutory duties such as SEN statementing, admissions coordination and provision of home-to-school transport. coordination and provision of home-to-school transport. However, LAs are expected to play a key strategic role However, LAs are expected to play a key strategic role locally and there will be significant advantages to locally and there will be significant advantages to partnership workingpartnership working

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Other?Other?There is no requirement for the governing body to do There is no requirement for the governing body to do anything. Academy status is optional; there is no legal anything. Academy status is optional; there is no legal requirement for the governing body to consider an requirement for the governing body to consider an application. application.

NGA Recommend undertaking an impact analysisNGA Recommend undertaking an impact analysis

The DfE is providing a grant of £25,000 to support the The DfE is providing a grant of £25,000 to support the costs of conversion to academy status. Tied in for 7 costs of conversion to academy status. Tied in for 7 yearsyears

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Facts and Figures?Facts and Figures?142 Schools accepted offer to become 142 Schools accepted offer to become academiesacademies

32 Opened this term32 Opened this term

110 Have academy orders signed110 Have academy orders signed

7 are primary schools7 are primary schools

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Free School?Free School?• In law there will be no such thing as a Free In law there will be no such thing as a Free

Schools. ‘Free schools’ will be set up under Schools. ‘Free schools’ will be set up under academies legislation.academies legislation.

• ‘‘Free schools’ are the Government’s Free schools’ are the Government’s variation on the Free school system in variation on the Free school system in Sweden and the Charter schools in the Sweden and the Charter schools in the USA.USA.

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Free School Process?Free School Process?• PreparationPreparation – contact the New Schools Network – contact the New Schools Network

for advice.for advice.

• Proposal Proposal – submit a proposal to the Department – submit a proposal to the Department for Education outlining keydetails of the proposed for Education outlining keydetails of the proposed schoolschool

• Business Case and PlanBusiness Case and Plan - full details of - full details of proposed school including aims and objectives, proposed school including aims and objectives, proposed curriculum and financial viabilityproposed curriculum and financial viability

• Pre-openingPre-opening – Admissions etc academy – Admissions etc academy registrationregistration

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Who can set them up?Who can set them up?• ‘‘Free schools’ can be proposed by a number of Free schools’ can be proposed by a number of

bodies: groups of parents, teachers, charities, bodies: groups of parents, teachers, charities, universities or existing educational providers.universities or existing educational providers.

• Proposers will need to demonstrate ‘evidence Proposers will need to demonstrate ‘evidence of robust demand’ from parents for a new of robust demand’ from parents for a new school of the type they are proposing.school of the type they are proposing.

• Proposers will have to show that there will be Proposers will have to show that there will be sufficient pupil numbers to support a sufficient pupil numbers to support a financially viable institution.financially viable institution.

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Who will run the School?Who will run the School?• As these schools will be set up as academies, As these schools will be set up as academies,

they will have an Academy Trust and a they will have an Academy Trust and a governing body who will be responsible for the governing body who will be responsible for the strategic management of the school. strategic management of the school.

• If a group of parents wishes to establish a new If a group of parents wishes to establish a new school but does not want the responsibility of school but does not want the responsibility of running it then part of the role of the New running it then part of the role of the New Schools Network will be to put them in touch Schools Network will be to put them in touch with suitable organisations with suitable organisations (charities/education providers) that could do (charities/education providers) that could do so.so.

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16 Free Schools16 Free Schools• Bedford and Kempston Free School, Bedford Bedford and Kempston Free School, Bedford • The Childcare Company, Slough The Childcare Company, Slough • Discovery New School, West Sussex Discovery New School, West Sussex • The Free School Norwich, Norfolk The Free School Norwich, Norfolk • Haringey Jewish Primary School, Haringey Haringey Jewish Primary School, Haringey • I-Foundation Primary School, Leicester (Hindu) I-Foundation Primary School, Leicester (Hindu) • King's Science Academy, Bradford King's Science Academy, Bradford • Mill Hill Jewish Primary School, Barnet Mill Hill Jewish Primary School, Barnet • Nishkam Education Trust, Birmingham (SikhNishkam Education Trust, Birmingham (Sikh) ) • North Westminster Free School (ARK), Westminster (ARK is an existing academy North Westminster Free School (ARK), Westminster (ARK is an existing academy

sponsor) sponsor) • Priors Marston and Priors Hardwick School, Warwickshire Priors Marston and Priors Hardwick School, Warwickshire • Rivendale Free School, Hammersmith and Fulham Rivendale Free School, Hammersmith and Fulham • St. Luke's School, Camden (Anglican) St. Luke's School, Camden (Anglican) • Stour Valley Community School, Suffolk Stour Valley Community School, Suffolk • West London Free School, Ealing or Hammersmith and Fulham West London Free School, Ealing or Hammersmith and Fulham • Wormholt North Hammersmith Free School (ARK), Hammersmith and Fulham (to Wormholt North Hammersmith Free School (ARK), Hammersmith and Fulham (to

be known as Burlington Primary Academy) be known as Burlington Primary Academy)

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Other?Other?• BuildingsBuildings

• LeadershipLeadership

• Financial Viability Financial Viability

• AdmissionsAdmissions

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Trusts the FutureTrusts the Future•The Trust and Foundation Schools Supported The Trust and Foundation Schools Supported Schools programme Ends in AugustSchools programme Ends in August

•There will be no further applications for There will be no further applications for fundingfunding

•Tool kit remains on-lineTool kit remains on-line

•Trusts are expected to remain an important Trusts are expected to remain an important part of the education provisionpart of the education provision

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Further Information?Further Information?• http://www.education.gov.uk/academies

• http://www.nga.org.uk/pol-academies.aspx