Creating an Academy from an Outstanding School

Introduction

The Queen’s Speech in May 2010 announced the government’s intention to allow more schools to become academies.  The Academies Bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords. 

The proposed legislation will extend the academies programme and allow primary, secondary, and special schools to become academies and allow the Secretary of State to approve schools to become academies by a simplified 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.

The government intends to add further freedoms related to local partnerships and the delivery of 14 – 19 education, as well as relaxing the requirements which are currently in the Funding Agreement.

Schools rated as outstanding by OfSTED in their most recent judgement have been invited to register an interest in becoming an academy. 

Schools who choose to apply to become an academy:

• must have the support of their governing body and, where applicable, their foundation;

• do not need to have an external sponsor; and

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

Once the legislation becomes law, eligible schools will be able to open as academies from September 2010, subject to approval from the Secretary of State.

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