1. Introductory presentation for schools
Academies
Introductory presentation
for schools

2. Why become an Academy? Freedoms and Flexibilities
free from local authority control.
ability to set own pay and conditions for staff,
freedom from following the National Curriculum,
able to change the lengths of terms and school days.
Finances
Direct from DFE(YPLA)
Exactly as under local authority funding formulae
Plus LACSEG

3. Why not become an academy?
Impact on schools remaining with LA
Managing the extra responsibilities
Changing patterns of accountability
Availability of local support and challenge from LA

4. Requirements Currently schools must be: outstanding or
good with at least one outstanding judgement
Schools must agree to support another school to raise its performance
Schools with a religious character will need the approval of the local Diocese.

5. Schools becoming academies: conversion process
Registration
1. Register your interest using the on-line form.
2. A named contact in Department for Education (DfE) will work with you through the conversion process.
3. Governing body starts the consultation required by legislation with interested parties (can start later but must be completed before Funding Agreement).
Application to convert/ pre-approval checks
Your governing body and Foundation (if relevant) pass a resolution in favour of academy conversion.
Discuss your plans to support another school to raise standards with your named DfE contact.
Local Authority/ governing body start the TUPE process.
Secretary of State will be asked to approve your proposal.
1. Finalise governance documents based on DfE model documents
provided.
2. Register the Academy Trust with Companies House.
3. Agree leasing arrangements for the school land and buildings.
4. Local Authority/governing body complete the TUPE process.
5. Governors complete required consultation with interested parties.
6. Submit the Funding Agreement to the Secretary of State for
approval.
Achieve Funding Agreement
Academy Opens
Pre-opening
CRB checks carried out as necessary.
Put new financial systems and contracts in place.
3. Complete academy registrations e.g. with exam bodies.
3 months from registration to opening

6. Other opportunities
Any school, regardless of their individual Ofsted ratings, can apply to join an existing Academy Trust.
Any group of schools can apply in partnership, as long as at least one of the member schools is ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ with one or more outstanding features.
Each 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.
Each school would need to submit a separate application and their Governing Body would need to pass a resolution to convert to become an Academy.
Schools may also sponsor an under-performing school to become an Academy

7. Other issues During conversion issues to be dealt with include:
TUPE of staff
Transfer of land. Can be complicated by :
Dual use agreements
Sub leases
Way leaves
Commercial transfer agreement
Deals with contracts and services transfers
Hertfordshire would like to be a party to all
Surplus/Deficit of bank account
Agreement with Hertfordshire over debtors and creditors
Pensions
LGPS deficit – see notes on DfE website

8. Hertfordshire’s position
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.

9. Useful websites DFE Academies site www.education.gov.uk/academies
Useful documents available for download including:
Guidance for schools becoming academies.
Standard lease agreements
Application forms
Hertfordshire academy site on TheGrid.
Documents available include:
Prospects of services
Contact details
This presentation