Creating an Academy by Conversion of an Existing School

Introduction

The Queen’s Speech in May 2010 announced the government’s intention to allow more schools to become academies.  The Academies Act became law on 27 July 2010. 

The legislation extends the academies programme and allows primary, secondary, and special schools to become academies and allows the Secretary of State to approve schools to become academies by a simplified process.  The Department for Education expects that the four steps of the conversion process will take between three to four months.

For the first conversions the key test will be that the school is currently rated as outstanding by OfSTED.  However, all schools may begin the application process.

Academies are publicly funded schools, free from local authority control.  They are able to:

• set their own pay and conditions for staff;

• change the length of terms and the school day; and

• exercise freedom from following the National Curriculum.

 Schools who choose to apply to become an academy:

• must have the support of their governing body and, where applicable, their foundation;
• must complete the consultation process with interested parties before the funding agreement can be signed;

• do not need to have an external sponsor; and

• are expected to be willing to support another school to raise attainment.

Click here to find out more about the process of academy creation, and services CASL can offer.