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Academies

Academies. Turner & Townsend March 2012. Type One or Sponsored Academies. Set up by Labour Now over 250 They replace a failing school Normally in the poorest, most deprived areas Have a sponsor e.g. C of E, ARK, Oasis, E-act, AET etc Originally they put in £2 million but nothing now

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Academies

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  1. Academies Turner & Townsend March 2012

  2. Type One or Sponsored Academies • Set up by Labour • Now over 250 • They replace a failing school • Normally in the poorest, most deprived areas • Have a sponsor e.g. C of E, ARK, Oasis, E-act, AET etc • Originally they put in £2 million but nothing now • Usually involved a rebuild of the school • Now a refurb is the preferred option or maybe nothing structural • Normally a secondary school although some were 3 to 18 • Unions did not like them • Totally separate from the Local Authority • Some still being commissioned by the Coalition

  3. Type Two or Convertor Academies • Set up by the Coalition Government • They also have a Trust – a charitable company limited by guarantee responsible for the oversight of the Academy with control over the school’s land and other assets with 125 year lease • The trust can be formed from the current Governing body but articles bar usually more than two with LA links e.g. employment • They have rights and responsibilities outside of the Local Authority and greater flexibility with funding • First ones to be invited were the ‘Outstanding Schools’ in September 2010 • From November 2010 ‘Good schools with outstanding features’ could apply • From January 2011 all schools including special schools and PRU’s can apply • Schools that are not outstanding or good with outstanding features can also apply providing they work in partnership with a high-performing school that will help drive improvement. • There is even some ‘wriggle room’ on this via demonstrating improvement on a case by case basis

  4. Academies as of now • 22000 schools in England • 3000 Secondary's • 17000 Primary schools • 1580 Academies opened in England (Feb) • 1194 convertor Academies (Jan) • 335 sponsored Academies (Jan) • Majority are in the secondary Sector but Primaries starting to follow • 45 per cent of all maintained secondary schools are either open or in the pipeline to become academies. • One in 10 outstanding primaries has applied to convert to an academy. • All Schools can become Academies including; • Special schools • Nurseries • Pupil Referral Units

  5. Why Consider becoming an Academy? • Autonomy • Priorities are not those of the LA • Personalised curriculum • Innovation without interference • Ability to move quickly on decisions • Better choice and value for money in procurement • Avoid underfunding and the redirection of resources • To avoid compliance with unnecessary or irrelevant LA initiatives • A direct link to the DfE • Saving money • Extra teachers and support staff • Reduce class sizes

  6. What are the Advantages • Transfer of land and buildings to the Academy Trust – normally 125 year lease • Seven year funding formula agreement • Surplus balances can be held • No VAT implications for VA schools • No 10% VA Capital Contribution • Additional funds are the allocation of central funding that normally goes to LA’s • £25K set up costs provided by the DFE • Setting pay and conditions for staff • No requirement to follow the National Curriculum • You can change the length of the school day and the School Terms • Complete freedom from the LA • Jump before you are pushed

  7. What are the Disadvantages? • Loss of support from the LA with resultant costs of sourcing elsewhere • Union opposition • Admin procedures and costs prior to opening • Time – particularly finance • Responsibility for redundancy payments and maternity and sick pay • If a local government pension fund is managing a deficit then this transfers from the LA to the academy. • No more than a £100,000 deficit • You have to sign up in principle to supporting other schools to raise achievement • Hidden costs can occur e.g. LA puts up prices/Capita charge to change licence for SIMS etc

  8. Where does the Church of England stand on Academies? • They remain neutral • They are happy to support Type Two, Convertor Academies • They have become sponsors to Type one Academies • They will support their schools whatever you decide • Coventry Diocese already has an Academy • One primary is going through at the moment • Two primary schools are looking at sponsored academy status • Four Primary schools have asked me to visit

  9. Where next? • Discuss at a Governor’s meeting • Form a small working party • Phone Carly at the Diocese if you want me to come and talk to the head and/ or your Governing Body

  10. Any Questions? ?

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