Academies and Free Schools - Background Information - June 2011
Academies and Free Schools - Policy Statement - September 2011
Academies are publicly funded independent schools which enjoy a number of freedoms and flexibilities including:
-
ability to set pay and conditions for all staff
-
freedom from following the National Curriculum
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ability to change the lengths of terms and school days
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greater control over the school budget
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freedom to spend money the local authority currently spends on behalf of schools
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responsibility for all capital assets and their management.
Sponsors - Some academies, generally those set-up to replace underperforming schools, will have a sponsor. Sponsors come from a wide range of backgrounds including successful schools, businesses, universities, charities and faith bodies. Sponsors are held accountable for the improving the performance of their schools. They do this by challenging traditional thinking on how schools are run and what they should be like for students. They seek to make a complete break with cultures of low aspiration and achievement. The sponsor’s vision and leadership are vital to each project.
Funding - Academies receive the same level of per-pupil funding as they would receive from the local authority as a maintained school, plus additions to cover the services that are no longer provided for them by the local authority. However, academies have greater freedom over how they use their budgets to best benefit their students.
Academies receive their funding directly from the Young People’s Learning Agency (an agency of the Department for Education) rather than from local authorities.
Governance - The principles of governance are the same in academies as in maintained schools, but the governing body has greater autonomy. Academies are required to have at least two parent governors.
Admissions, special educational needs and exclusions - Academies are required to follow the law and guidance on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as if they were maintained schools.
The following schools are now Academies:-
|
Secondary Schools |
Date |
|
Beechen Cliff |
1 April 2011 |
|
Hayesfield |
1 August 2011 |
|
Norton Hill |
1 October 2010 |
|
Oldfield |
1 February 2011 |
|
Somervale |
1 October 2010 |
|
Wellsway |
1 October 2011 |
|
Writhlington |
1 October 2011 |
|
Primary Schools |
Date |
|
Trinity |
1 June 2011 |
|
Special Schools |
Date |
|
Fosse Way |
1 September 2011 |
The following school has had their Academy application approved by the DfE:
|
Secondary Schools |
Conversion Date |
|
Broadlands |
1 April 2012 |
The Governing Bodies of the following have made the decision that they want to convert:-
|
Secondary Schools |
|
Culverhay (sponsored) |