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Issues for schools to consider. David Groves. Secretary of State. Funding Agreement. LA / GB / Diocese. Academy Trust. Land transfer. Transfer Agreement. Memorandum and Articles set GB structure. Academy Governing Body.
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Issues for schools to consider David Groves
Secretary of State Funding Agreement LA / GB / Diocese Academy Trust Land transfer Transfer Agreement Memorandum and Articles set GB structure Academy Governing Body There are ‘model’ versions of each document on the DfE website – www.education.gov.uk/academies
Differences to community school • Admissions: becomes admissions authority • Buildings and land: 125 year lease; capital funding from SoS not LA • Curriculum: Not subject to National Curriculum • Employment: becomes employer (TUPE applies); ability to set different T&C for new staff • Funding: share of LA central spend (LACSEG) • Governance: Establish charitable company; determine Member and Governor structure
Voluntary conversion process School decisions = whether to • Express an Interest • Apply • Sign Funding Agreement (+ Foundation approval if appropriate) Issues to consider: • When / how / who to consult • Costs and support
Policy themes • Governance structure (including ‘chains’) • Admissions • HR / T&C • School day / year • Partnership / collaboration
Due Diligence • Financial appraisal – do the numbers add up? Future vulnerability? • Land / capital – “sold as seen”; any complications? • Employment – TUPE process; policy / staffing issues • Governance transition and liabilities / responsibilities • Financial / payroll / ICT structures
Sponsored conversions Education Bill if eligible for intervention Sponsor brokerage process unclear Scope uncertain
Issues from ESCC perspective Hazel Cunningham Fiona Wright
Services offered • Current SLAs – some evolution required • LACSEG SLAs – being developed • Some services unaffected by conversions
Viability of LA Services • 2011/12 Government top-sliced Formula Grant. For each Academy the LA will lose a proportion of funding for centrally provided services. • Uncertainty regarding number / timing of conversion. • Cumulative impact on services LA can offer to maintained schools – critical mass • Assumption that could mitigate financial impact if Academies purchase “traded” central services.
School performance accountability • The role of the council as champion of educational excellence for all schools • Under performing academy – who identifies; who acts? • Building diversity and building networks of challenge and support for all schools • Developing relationships: - ESCC / schools / academies - schools / academies