1. 1 Academies (Mainly!) Helen Hornsby Steve Piper

2. 2 Objectives – What are academies What are academies Free Schools Free Schools Trusts Trusts

3. 3 The Academies Bill? The Government suggest that the Academies Bill would: The Government suggest that the Academies Bill would: “Enable more schools to achieve academy status and give them greater freedoms over the curriculum”, and “create a world beating school system in which every parent has access to a good school and all pupils achieve high standards”. “Enable more schools to achieve academy status and give them greater freedoms over the curriculum”, and “create a world beating school system in which every parent has access to a good school and all pupils achieve high standards”. The new Academies are not an extension of the previous Government’s programme of Academies which were those schools that were underperforming and often in disadvantaged areas. Initially the new Academies will be those current schools which are high performing. The new Academies are not an extension of the previous Government’s programme of Academies which were those schools that were underperforming and often in disadvantaged areas. Initially the new Academies will be those current schools which are high performing.

4. 4 What is an academy? As defined by the DfT: “ Academies are publicly funded independent schools that provide a first-class education. Academies can benefit from greater freedoms to help you innovate and raise standards. Ideology This Government believes that teachers and head teachers, not politicians and bureaucrats, should control schools and have more power over how they are run. That’s why we are spreading academy freedoms. This will give heads more power to tackle disruptive children, to protect and reward teachers better, and to give children the specialist teaching they need – Michael Gove

5. 5 Which schools can become an Academies? Only schools (primary, secondary and special schools) that have been rated outstanding overall in their most recent Ofsted inspection are eligible to convert to academies through this process Can non-outstanding schools apply? Not yet. All schools will eventually be eligible to apply to be considered for academy status but the applications for all other schools will open at a later date in the year. Not yet. All schools will eventually be eligible to apply to be considered for academy status but the applications for all other schools will open at a later date in the year.

6. 6 Academy Freedoms – What are they? Freedom from local authority control Freedom from local authority control Ability to set pay and conditions for staff (break from School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions ) Ability to set pay and conditions for staff (break from School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions ) Freedom from following the National Curriculum Freedom 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 becomes responsible for its own admission arrangements The academy is its own admission authority. That means that it becomes responsible for its own admission arrangements.

7. 7 Academy Finance Finance: The principle of academies' funding is that academies should receive the same level of per-pupil funding as they would receive from the local authority as a maintained school. In addition, they receive top-up funding to meet additional responsibilities that are no longer provided for them by the local authority. The principle of academies' funding is that academies should receive the same level of per-pupil funding as they would receive from the local authority as a maintained school. In addition, they receive top-up funding to meet additional responsibilities that are no longer provided for them by the local authority. Funded directly Funded directly

8. Finance: 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 (LACSEG) hare Local authority central spend equivalent grant (LACSEG) hare 8 Academy Finance

9. 9 Becoming and Academy What process do I have to follow to become an academy? Schools rated outstanding by Ofsted in their last inspection can convert Schools rated outstanding by Ofsted in their last inspection can convert 1) Registration. Although any school is eligible to register an interest, the DfE will first consider applications from those schools judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. These schools are classed as ‘pre-approved’ whereas additional criteria for conversion may apply to other schools. These criteria have not yet been published. 1) Registration. Although any school is eligible to register an interest, the DfE will first consider applications from those schools judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. These schools are classed as ‘pre-approved’ whereas additional criteria for conversion may apply to other schools. These criteria have not yet been published. 2) Application Governing Body resolution; the 2) Application Governing Body resolution; the agreement of your Foundation and Trustees (if applicable); agreement of your Foundation and Trustees (if applicable); 3) Obtaining agreement - legal documents are completed relating to governance, land, property and staff transfer and company registration 3) Obtaining agreement - legal documents are completed relating to governance, land, property and staff transfer and company registration 4) Pre-opening – finalising contractual arrangements 4) Pre-opening – finalising contractual arrangements The NGA would recommend that a special single issue meeting of the governing body is held to discuss whether to apply for academy status. The NGA would recommend that a special single issue meeting of the governing body is held to discuss whether to apply for academy status.

10. 10 Becoming and Academy Consultation: The Act includes a requirement that governing bodies must consult before they convert to academy status and that the consultation must be about whether the school should convert. The Act does not specify who the governing body should consult, merely stating that it should be ‘such persons as they think appropriate’. TUPE consultation Must consult with any foundation

11. 11 Becoming and Academy Commercial transfer agreement – transfer of assets contracts Commercial transfer agreement – transfer of assets contracts Licence to Occupy – in lieu of lease Licence to Occupy – in lieu of lease Long Term Lease Long Term Lease Local Government Pensions Scheme Local Government Pensions Scheme Insurance arrangements Insurance arrangements

12. 12 Academy The Trust The Academy Tust: Academies are classed as ‘independent’ state schools; they are charitable companies limited by guarantee. This means that, rather than being directly funded and accountable to the local authority, they are funded and accountable to the Secretary of State. Academies are classed as ‘independent’ state schools; they are charitable companies limited by guarantee. This means that, rather than being directly funded and accountable to the local authority, they are funded and accountable to the Secretary of State.. (Trust School Conversion: Trust schools are foundation schools needs the permission of their foundation or trustees

13. 13 Governance How will the school’s governance change? What is the role of the academy trust? An academy trust is a charitable company responsible for the running of the academy and has control over the land and other assets. It has a strategic role in running the academy, but delegates day-to-day management of the school to the governors.

14. 14 Governance How will the school’s governance change? The principles of governance are the same at an academy as at a maintained school. Main difference is that all academies are charitable companies and as such have a trust body It is likely that the make-up of your governing body will be different No Sponsor is required

15. 15 Roles and Responsibilities 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 academy challenge and monitor the performance of the academy manage the academy trust’s finances and property manage the academy trust’s finances and property employ staff. employ staff.

16. 16 Governance How will the school’s governance change? Is likely that the make-up of your governing body will be different x governors appointed by the Academy Trust x governors appointed by the Academy Trust 1 LA governor 1 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 may not comprise more than one third of the total governing body) Optional staff governors (appointed by the Trust – staff governors 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 governing body). Provision for up to three co-opted governors (appointed by the governing body). There is also provision for the Secretary of State to appoint additional governors in certain circumstances. There is also provision for the Secretary of State to appoint additional governors in certain circumstances.

17. 17 Local Authority Relationship there is no statutory requirement for any formal relationship between LAs and academies beyond LA statutory duties such as SEN statementing, admissions coordination and provision of home-to-school transport. However, LAs are expected to play a key strategic role locally and there will be significant advantages to partnership working

18. 18 Other? There is no requirement for the governing body to do anything. Academy status is optional; there is no legal requirement for the governing body to consider an application. NGA Recommend undertaking an impact analysis The DfE is providing a grant of £25,000 to support the costs of conversion to academy status. Tied in for 7 years

19. 19 Facts and Figures? 142 Schools accepted offer to become academies 32 Opened this term 110 Have academy orders signed 7 are primary schools

20. 20 Free School? In law there will be no such thing as a Free Schools. ‘Free schools’ will be set up under academies legislation. In law there will be no such thing as a Free Schools. ‘Free schools’ will be set up under academies legislation. ‘Free schools’ are the Government’s variation on the Free school system in Sweden and the Charter schools in the USA. ‘Free schools’ are the Government’s variation on the Free school system in Sweden and the Charter schools in the USA.

21. 21 Free School Process? Preparation – contact the New Schools Network for advice. Preparation – contact the New Schools Network for advice. Proposal – submit a proposal to the Department for Education outlining keydetails of the proposed school Proposal – submit a proposal to the Department for Education outlining keydetails of the proposed school Business Case and Plan - full details of proposed school including aims and objectives, proposed curriculum and financial viability Business Case and Plan - full details of proposed school including aims and objectives, proposed curriculum and financial viability Pre-opening – Admissions etc academy registration Pre-opening – Admissions etc academy registration

22. 22 Who can set them up? ‘Free schools’ can be proposed by a number of bodies: groups of parents, teachers, charities, universities or existing educational providers. ‘Free schools’ can be proposed by a number of bodies: groups of parents, teachers, charities, universities or existing educational providers. Proposers will need to demonstrate ‘evidence of robust demand’ from parents for a new school of the type they are proposing. Proposers will need to demonstrate ‘evidence of robust demand’ from parents for a new school of the type they are proposing. Proposers will have to show that there will be sufficient pupil numbers to support a financially viable institution. Proposers will have to show that there will be sufficient pupil numbers to support a financially viable institution.

23. 23 Who will run the School? As these schools will be set up as academies, they will have an Academy Trust and a governing body who will be responsible for the strategic management of the school. As these schools will be set up as academies, they will have an Academy Trust and a governing body who will be responsible for the strategic management of the school. If a group of parents wishes to establish a new school but does not want the responsibility of running it then part of the role of the New Schools Network will be to put them in touch with suitable organisations (charities/education providers) that could do so. If a group of parents wishes to establish a new school but does not want the responsibility of running it then part of the role of the New Schools Network will be to put them in touch with suitable organisations (charities/education providers) that could do so.

24. 24 16 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 (Sikh) Nishkam Education Trust, Birmingham (Sikh) North Westminster Free School (ARK), Westminster (ARK is an existing academy sponsor) North Westminster Free School (ARK), Westminster (ARK is an existing academy 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 be known as Burlington Primary Academy) Wormholt North Hammersmith Free School (ARK), Hammersmith and Fulham (to be known as Burlington Primary Academy)

25. 25 Other? Buildings Buildings Leadership Leadership Financial Viability Financial Viability Admissions Admissions

26. 26 Trusts the Future The Trust and Foundation Schools Supported Schools programme Ends in August The Trust and Foundation Schools Supported Schools programme Ends in August There will be no further applications for funding There will be no further applications for funding Tool kit remains on-line Tool kit remains on-line Trusts are expected to remain an important part of the education provision Trusts are expected to remain an important part of the education provision

27. 27 Further Information? http://www.education.gov.uk/academies http://www.education.gov.uk/academies http://www.education.gov.uk/academies http://www.nga.org.uk/pol-academies.aspx http://www.nga.org.uk/pol-academies.aspx http://www.nga.org.uk/pol-academies.aspx