Support Systems for academies with sponsors

Most of those who have been through the process will tell you that the early stages are most difficult because, until recently, there has been little support.

The DfE provides support to write the Expression of Interest (EoI) and much further support thereafter, but the early stages are likely to generate considerable work which may stretch the resources of a Diocesan Director of Education (DDE) who has a small team.

CASLcurrently offers the following support.

CASL can support a DDE from the earliest stages. Most significant of all is the way in which CASL can create a range of support and project management options for the diocese, which will enable the DDE to exercise the control necessary to be an effective sponsor whilst having those costs paid for through the DfE grant structure.

Without that mechanism, the expense to the diocese in terms of resources, time and energy would be enormous.

CASL also has a key role in selecting a school improvement partner to help the diocesan sponsor secure transformational change in the new academy.

Support Materials

There is a certain amount of documentary support and it is growing all the time. It is fair to say that it remains patchy .

The reasons are two fold. Each academy is a unique event and read-across can be dangerous. Secondly, since everyone is so busy doing the work, they haven’t had much time to create reams of exemplar papers.

Having said that, CASL has a number of useful starting points.

• We have examples of Expressions of Interest that have been accepted by the DfE.
• We have devised bidding systems that have been cleared by lawyers and the Department so we know that procurement structures are secure and compliant with EU regulations.
• We have written legal advice on key issues.
• We have various drafts that can be used as templates when sponsors seek to articulate the core determination and values of a Church academy.