Update 1 September 2010: A list of academies that opened at the start of September 2010 is available to download from the Open academies page.
An updated list of applications from mainstream schools to convert to academy status is also available to download from the Schools registering interest or submitting application page.
A press notice about the new academies opening in September 2010 is also available.
Update 27 August 2010: Academy trusts need to ensure that all staff and governors have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Legislative changes take effect from 1 September 2010 and revised guidance can be found on the supporting documents page.
Update 18 August 2010: Land transfer guidance is now available to download from the supporting documents page.
Update 13 August 2010: The Department has published updated versions of the Model Articles of Association for both individual schools that wish to convert, and groups of schools. The new versions allow schools more freedom to decide how many staff governors they would like to have on their governing body. These can be downloaded from the supporting documents page.
Update 11 August 2010: The latest version of Annex C (SEN) to the Funding Agreement is now available to download from the supporting documents page, along with the Multi Model Annex B – SEN.
Update 10 August 2010: The Department has published a guidance note for schools on the Local Government Pensions Scheme and the implications of conversion to academy status. Schools need to take this forward with the relevant pensions authority as soon as possible. The document can be downloaded from the Supporting documents page.
Schools must insure that adequate insurance cover has been arranged prior to conversion, to take effect from midnight at the date of conversion. The Department has produced a guidance note on the issues arising from this and the way in which costs are reimbursed. The document can be downloaded from the Supporting documents page.
Annex B to the funding agreement – admissions has been updated and is now available to download from the supporting documents page, along with the Multi Model Annex 1 – admissions.
Update 4 August 2010: During the passage of the Academies Act, ministers made commitments to incorporate particular provisions within the funding agreement and Articles of Association and these have now been incorporated. They are:
- a requirement for at least two parent governors on the academy's governing body
- a requirement to promote community cohesion
- a requirement to have a designated teacher with responsibility for looked-after children
- a power for the Secretary of State to direct an academy to comply with any obligations contained within Annex C to the funding agreement, which covers SEN.
The revised funding agreement and Articles of Association are available to download from the supporting documents page, along with several other updated supporting documents. Converting schools are not expected to make changes to the model Memorandum, Articles of Association and funding agreement.
A number of technical amendments are also being made to the following annexes of the funding agreement, Annex B (Admissions) and Annex C (SEN). Grammar schools should note that an additional annex to the funding agreement covering grammar school ballot provisions is being developed. The final version, which schools should use, will be loaded on the supporting documents page as soon as possible.
Update 19 July 2010: Annex B to the funding agreement – admissions is now available to download from the supporting documents page, along with several other updated supporting documents.
Update 16 July 2010: Further information has been added to the frequently asked questions page of this section.
Update 15 July 2010: Updated lists of outstanding schools and non-outstanding schools registering an interest in converting to academy status are available to download.
Update 14 July 2010: A draft model funding agreement is now available to download from the Supporting documents page, along with several other new supporting documents.
The guidance document for convertors on the How to become an academy page has also been revised.
Update 9 July 2010: Lord Hill has updated his letter to all pipeline academies, potential conversions and open academies, to inform them of the progress of the new Academies Bill in the House of Lords and of the provisions being debated. Lord Hill’s letter to pipeline academies is available to download from this page.
Update 5 July 2010: Lord Hill, Minister responsible for Academies, has written to all chairs of governors to update them on progress of the Academies Bill. Lord Hill’s letter to chairs of governors is available for download from this page.
Update 28 June: A academies funding ready reckoner has been added to the academy funding page. This will enable schools considering conversion to academy status to calculate the level of funding they should receive as an academy, and allow them to compare this with the funding they currently receive.
Update 25 June 2010: Following Freedom of Information requests, we are publishing the names of schools that have registered an interest in becoming academies. You can access the lists of outstanding schools and non-outstanding schools registering an interest from this page.
Update 21 June 2010: Further information on finance and governance has been added to the frequently asked questions page of this section.
Update 11 June 2010: Schools registering an interest in becoming an academy and completing an application form to do so should note that information provided in response to the invitation to register, or in an application form, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the access to information regimes, primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998.
Update 9 June 2010: Application form and guidance document for outstanding schools wishing to become academies are now available.
The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, announced on 26 May 2010 legislation which will allow the Secretary of State to approve schools to become academies. This will be through a simplified streamlined process which is described below.
The Queen’s Speech announced the Government’s intention to allow more schools to benefit from academy freedoms and flexibilities to help them innovate, raise standards and achieve enhanced outcomes for their students.
Academies are publicly funded independent schools, free from local authority control. Other freedoms include setting their own pay and conditions for staff, freedom from following the National Curriculum, and the ability to change the lengths of their terms and school days. We are also making plans for further freedoms for academies in the way they engage in local partnerships and deliver 14-19 education.
The proposed legislation will open up the academies programme, allowing primary, secondary, and special schools to apply to become academies. Once legislation becomes law, schools rated as outstanding by Ofsted will be able to open as academies as early as September 2010, subject to approval by the Secretary of State.
All schools can apply to become academies and are encouraged to register their interest to become academies. Further details of the process for all schools will be announced shortly.
Schools will need the support of their governing body and, where applicable, their foundation, to apply. Unlike existing academies, no external sponsor will be required where an outstanding school converts to academy status. Schools will be expected to sign up in principle to support another school to raise attainment.
The Secretary of State's letter to schools and his letter to outstanding schools are available to download from this page.