1. Presentation for Heads and governors
Academies
Presentation
for Heads and governors
full presentation all slides

2. Why become an Academy? Freedoms and Flexibilities to improve standards
free from local authority control.
become their own admissions authority,
ability to set own pay and conditions for staff,
freedom from following the National Curriculum,
able to change term dates and the lengths of school days.
Finances
Direct from DFE(EFA)
Exactly as under local authority funding formulae
Plus LACSEG (Per pupil unit 2012/13; £203P, £244S + SEN)
Plus Insurance payment
Ability to be more entrepreneurial
Extra funding available for groups of primary schools
Local perceptions
Academies being seen in a positive light by parents.

3. Why not become an academy?
Small schools LACSEG is small
Small schools may not have capacity to manage the extra responsibilities. E.g. admissions, pensions, etc. Do small schools have capacity?
Impact on LA services and schools remaining with LA.
Uncertainty about future funding arrangements.
Changing patterns of accountability.
Audited accounts and financial reports that comply with Companies Act and EFA.
Office of the schools commissioner’s responsibility for standards.

4. Current position in Hertfordshire
Number converted
% of school type
Number in process
Primary 17
3.91 5
1.22
Middle 2
33.33 1
16.67
Secondary 48
64.86
0.0
Special 8 4
All Through
n/a
ESC
14.29
Total 70
13.23 7
1.36

5. Requirements – outstanding and good schools
Quick and easy 3-4 months
Straight forward conversion under 2010 act
Agree to support another school to raise its performance.
VA and Foundation schools need consent of trustees.
Schools with a religious character will need the approval of the local Diocese.

6. The conversion process
Registration
On line form at:
Triggers DfE contact
Start consultation
Application to convert
Governors pass resolution -approve proposal to convert.
On line application
Start TUPE - requires separate consultation
Support for another school
Academy order issued
Access £25,000
Obtaining Funding Agreement
Employ lawyer
Set up Trust
Register at Companies House
Complete; land transfer, CTA, bank account, TUPE, Pensions etc
Contracts, loans and outstanding works
Sign funding agreement
Pre-opening
Complete odds and ends
Register with exam boards
Transfer contracts
Agree bank balance with Hertfordshire

7. The Trust and Company – single academy trust model.
An exempt charity. Established by the current GB in consultation with a Foundation if one exists.
“Members” – at least 3. Other members can be appointed once set up.
Register Trust with companies house
‘Memorandum and Articles of Association’ are needed. Available on DfE website.
Memorandum - names and signatures of members.
Articles - structure and organisation of management etc.
Trust (members) appoints a Board of Governors or Directors as described in articles.
Trust enters into funding agreement with DfE.
Only a maximum of 1 governor can be an LA governor.
Up to 20% or 2 governors whichever is the smallest can be LA associated.

8. Umbrella trust model
Each school will convert as a separate Academy Trust retaining autonomy; e.g. of budget and staffing.
Agree to join or set up an UT with a group of schools together.
Schools agree a structure for UT that can allow shared governance, collaboration and procurement of services and staff.
UT may also set a joint vision for the schools or procure joint services.
Popular with Diocese
Can be variety of schools; e.g. VA and community.

9. Multi-academy trust model
£25,000 for Primary schools converting together
For any joint application, one of the member schools must be ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’
Each school submits a separate application and their Governing Body would need to pass a resolution to convert.
Each school’s application will be considered on its merits, and the Secretary of State will only approve those where he is satisfied there are appropriate accountability mechanisms in place to support the weaker schools to improve.
Requires detailed negotiation of new structure for funding agreement.
The MAT holds ultimate responsibility for all decisions regarding the running of the individual Academies, from setting the curriculum to HR
One employer for all staff,
Allows the moving of resources through schools in the chain
The MAT will ultimately be accountable and responsible for the performance of schools in the chain.
The MAT can agree to delegate as much or as little power down to the advisory bodies or local governing bodies of the schools involved

10. Hertfordshire’s position and useful websites
DFE Academies site
Documents available for download including:
Guidance for schools becoming academies
Standard lease agreements
Memorandum and articles of association
Flow Chart
Application forms
Hertfordshire academy site on TheGrid.
Prospects of services
Contact details
This presentation
The Co-operative College
Tel:
Hertfordshire’s position and useful websites
Will support any school wishing to convert.
Will make available any services we can for academies.
Will seek to encourage all schools in Hertfordshire to work in partnership for the benefit of local young people.