Becoming an AcademyBecoming an Academy (subject to Governor approval, full

consultation with stakeholders and the Secretary of State being happy)

8th June 2011

History!History!

• PRS is a highly successful school• It has an excellent reputation locally and is

known nationally and internationally as a site of good practice

• Ofsted and FMSIS say positive things• It is fully staffed, financial viable and over-

subscribed• ‘Change management’ has led to year-on-year

improvement• We family is full of successful learners, confident

individuals and responsible citizens

Dispelling the MythsDispelling the Myths

• It is not an “old style” Academy• Nobody loses their job• Nobody has to apply for their own job• There is no private investor with their own

agenda• We are not selling our soul or the control of

ourselves• It is a pragmatic decision, not a philosophical

one• We will not be changing our name

What an Academy isWhat an Academy is

• Academies are independent schools, free from local authority control

• Academies have an Academy Trust which is responsible for the land and assets

• Funding comes direct from central government• The Academy is a limited company• Need only follow the NC in English, maths,

science and ICT• Not bound by national pay and conditions

agreement.

Why become an Academy?Why become an Academy?

• MONEY!!!!!

• At least £150,000 per year of additional income

• At a time where we are losing a similar amount through national funding changes

• 2 a day nationally and almost every secondary in Bucks is already in the process or has converted.

The Criteria….The Criteria….

• Good or outstanding school

• Partnering a school performing less well

• A plan to support that school to sustained improvement

• Full consultation undertaken

• No “show-stopping” anomalies

Governance StructureGovernance Structure

• The Academy Trust is a limited company with probably 3 or 5 members.

• The AT meets rarely but is the employer and has responsibility for quality of education, buildings, contracts etc.

• They appoint the Governing Body• This is flexible but is made up of at least the

Head, 2 parents, 1 member of the AT• Other parameters include max 1 from the LA,

staff governors limited to one third, 3 co-opted members

Object & Articles ofObject & Articles ofthe Trustthe Trust

OBJECT OF THE ACADEMY TRUST“ To advance the education of the public in the United Kingdom, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing by establishing, maintaining, carrying on, managing and developing a school offering a broad and balanced curriculum.”

ARTICLES OF THE ACADEMY TRUST• Manage the business of the Academy Trust• Enter into contracts on behalf of the Academy Trust• Expend the funds of the Academy Trust “in such a manner as they shall consider most beneficial for the achievement of the Objects”• Invest funds as they see fit

Process of becoming Process of becoming an Academyan Academy

• We’re off

• Week 1

• Weeks 1-4: staff meeting, write to parents, primaries, community etc

• Week 2

Governors pass resolution

Application submitted

Consultation with stakeholders including staff

Legal work commences: Memorandum & Articles

of Association, Commercial Transfer Agreement, leases,

funding agreement etc

How it will effect each of usHow it will effect each of us

• The children won’t notice any difference

• Parents won’t notice any difference

• Teachers won’t notice any difference

• The Governors (and Head) on the AT will notice a small difference

• The support staff won’t notice a difference with the exception of…..

The Finance TeamThe Finance TeamWe are now running a limited company and all that it brings with it.

AdmissionsAdmissions

• Requirement to honour places offered by previous school• Cannot change admissions arrangements until September 2012• Academy would have to make a request to SOS to expand pupil numbers or age range• Local consultation and views of LA considered, but not binding

TransportTransport

• No changes to the agreed rules by which the LA presently abide

• Please note that the LA has recently changed their approach – this has nothing to do with Academies

SEN / StatementsSEN / Statements

The previous Model Funding Agreement did not require academies to admit pupils where the academy was specifically named in the statement.

This has now been amended so the LA will consult an academy on the placement of a statemented child, but ultimately they can name the academy.

PropertyProperty

• Community/voluntary controlled school

• 125-year lease from the LA to the Academy Trust for peppercorn rent.

• Template Lease:“The Tenant must not erect any buildings or other structures on the Property nor make any structural or external alterations, additions or variations without the Landlords prior written consent. The Landlord’s consent is not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and the Landlord can only refuse consent if such erection, alteration, addition or variation will:

Funding and costsFunding and costs

• We get a £25k grant to convert• The cost of converting is circa £45k so a

net cost of £20k• We will receive about £250k additional

income• However, there are additional costs

(accountants, SIMS, Bucks CC etc) of £60-80k

• So a net increase in funding of £150k+

So …So …

• ‘We’ believe this is the right thing to do.

• Consultation runs until 15th July

• Questions?