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Academies
What is an academy?
Academies are independent schools within the state sector that are funded directly by the Department and not maintained by the local authority. They might replace schools that have a history of poor attainment or be new schools in areas where additional places are required.
There is a public target to create 400 academies, 200 of which by will be open by 2010.
The role of the Office of the Schools Commissioner (OSC) is to work with local authorities to identify potential academies or the need for a new academy.
The OSC then works with the local authority to find the sponsor that best suits the needs of the local community.
If you are interested in sponsoring an academy and would like to discuss this, you can contact the Department and a member of the OSC will get back to you.
Evidence shows that academies are bringing about strong and sustained improvements in pupil attainment and behaviour.
They are also creating a culture shift in ethos and expectations. Where academies replace highly challenging schools, in addition to the specific academies target, the programme also feeds directly into the delivery of the Schools Commissioner’s choice and diversity outcome.
Each academy succeeds through an external partnership that provides a unique ethos and curriculum tailored to the needs of its community.
The programme also promotes fair access through the statutory requirement for academies to provide education for pupils of all abilities.
Why is an academy a good idea?
An independent review by PricewaterhouseCooper in July 2006 showed that:
- Overall pupil performance in academies has been improving faster than the national average, and at a faster rate than in a control group of schools facing similar challenges. Given the poor rates of performance previously in the schools replaced by academies, this represents a significant step forward.
- Four-fifths (81 per cent) of pupils from brand new academies thought their school work had improved since joining the academy. 72 per cent of pupils from academies that replaced weak and failing schools thought the same. Both these figures are encouragingly high.
- Total attendance in academies has risen - and at a faster rate than corresponding improvements at a national level.
2006 results
- The percentage of pupils getting five A-C GCSEs (including English and Maths) has improved by 6.2 percentage points – six times better than the national improvement rate.
- Academies are making dramatic improvements at Key Stage 3 - above the national average - with rises of 8.1 percentage points in English, 9 percentage points in Maths and 10.5 percentage points in Science compared to previous validated results.
Ofsted
- 14 academies have had full Ofsted inspections. One academy – Mossbourne – has been graded as outstanding in every single respect. Four others have been graded as good, with a further eight graded as satisfactory. Only one has found to be inadequate.
How does an academy project work?
- The Office of the Schools Commissioner (OSC) delivers the first part of the academy process. During this brokering phase, the local authority and sponsor for the project are decided. The phase culminates in the signature of a Statement of Intent, which confirms that the LA and sponsor(s) will work together to complete a full Expression of Interest (EoI).
- Each academy project passes through a number of stages. These include feasibility, implementation and finally Open. The whole process can take up to three years and will pass through different teams of the Department, with staff who will help schools and sponsors through the process.
Criteria for new academies
Following the launch of the new academies prospectus, the criteria by which the Department decides to create academies has changed.
The Government is prepared to consider any secondary school where in 2006 less than 30 per cent of pupils gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* – C (including English and Maths) as a potential academy project (see Competitions for schools outside the rule).
In addition, local authorities should always consider an academy as an option for dealing with a school in special measures, or subject to an improvement notice, whatever its results.
Related links
For general information on academies, download the
Academies Prospectus
If you are from the independent sector and want more information on academies, download the
Independent Schools Prospectus
If you are from the HE sector and want more information on academies and trusts generally, download the Academies,Trusts and Higher Education: prospectus
If you are interested in how high performing schools, sixth-form and FE colleges can sponsor an academy, download Academies and Trusts: Oportunities for schools, sixth-form and FE colleges
