The growth and development of Academy Chains in Essex Clerk briefings September 2012

Numbers of Essex schools by status as at 11/4/2012 AcademyCommunityFoundationVAVCTotal Nursery22 Infant Junior Primary Primary total Secondary Special Total

What is an Academy Chain? Any school is now eligible to convert to academy status as part of a chain of schools. A school can partner up with one or more schools (one of which must be outstanding or GWOF – good with outstanding features); or apply to join an existing Academy Trust with a proven track record of school improvement.

“Chains of schools have grown at a phenomenal pace since 2004 and while they still represent less than 3 per cent of schools nationally, it is clear that they will become increasingly central to the structure of the school system in England. The evidence that chains make a positive difference to pupil outcomes and school performance is growing and this report sets out some of the ways in which chains are achieving this.” The growth of academy chains: implications for leaders and leadership National College 2012

The sponsored academy chain landscape Academy chains have grown rapidly since the first chain came into being in September At the beginning of 2012 nearly 350 mainly sponsored academies were in the 48 sponsored chains comprising 3 or more academies in the chain. Three-quarters of the academies within chains are secondary schools, though this is changing as more primary schools become academies.

AET ARK E-ACT Harris Federation The Kemnal Academies Trust Oasis Community Learning Ormiston Academies Trust Schools Partnership Trust ULT

The sponsored academy chain landscape in Essex Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) The Ormiston Trust The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT) Stanton Lane Trust Colchester Institute and University of Essex

Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) Established in September schools in Essex 2 special 4 primary 5 secondary Head office in Essex

The Ormiston Trust Ormiston Trust is a national charity that aims to improve the life-chances of children and young people so they can fulfil their potential and lead happy and productive adult lives. Established in academies nationally – one in Essex

The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT) The Kemnal Trust was formed in 2008, based on Kemnal Technology College in Bromley in south-east London. The head is an accredited national leader of education and the college is a national support school. Currently 3 secondary schools in Essex, but actively seeking primary school partners.

Stanton Lane Trust –Lead Sponsor for the Basildon Lower and Upper Academies. Colchester Institute and University of Essex - Lead Sponsor for the Colchester Academy (formerly Sir Charles Lucas Arts College)

The converter academy chain landscape By January 2012, nearly 1,200 schools had converted to being an academy. Collaborative activity between academies is being led and governed on a loose-to-tight spectrum, with informal collaboration at one end of the spectrum and formal chains working to a shared teaching and learning model at the other.

Converter Chains of school – governance models Multi-Academy Trust – a group of schools form a single trust with overall responsibility, but each may have its own governing body; Umbrella trust – a single company formed by key people for the schools applying – each school has an individual Academy Trust; Informal collaboration – looser, more collaborative arrangement.

The process for converting in a chain. Each governing body will need to pass a separate resolution to convert and submit a separate application. Schools do not all need to apply together – schools can apply to join the academy partnership at a later date but must then join the governance model that is already set up.

The organisation and management system The top five non-educational services provided centrally by over half the sponsored academy chains were human resources, insurance, legal services, audit and ICT services. Three-quarters of Academies contribute 4.5% or less of their general annual grant to the chain to cover central running costs.

Under-performing schools A number of schools that are under- performing – either below floor target or judged by Ofsted to be requiring special measures - are being encouraged to convert to academy status as part of a chain with a higher performing school. This has implications for the governors, leadership team and Clerk – you may find “your” school is required to convert.

Questions for the governing body Is this the right time for us to consider conversion to academy status? How would this improve our school for the pupils and staff? Would we convert as a single school (if outstanding or GWOF) or as part of an academy chain?