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Schools applying for Academy Status

We have specialist experience in advising on and handling conversion to academy status under the Academies Act 2010.  Our Education Team is recognised by The Legal 500 for expertise in the sector and our Employment Team is recognised by both Chambers and The Legal 500 as experts in the field of employment law. 

Who we act for

Our clients include a wide range of schools in both the secondary and primary sectors.  We have a successful track record in advising schools on the entire conversion process and schools we have helped to convert to academies, found our advice practical and proactive. We also provide post conversion support to ensure effective management of the academy and staff. 

Why convert to an academy?

Only those involved with a school can determine how desirable it is to convert to an Academy.  The reasons for a school or groups of schools converting to academies can include:

  • The academy would be an independent school funded directly from central government and outside the control of the Local Education Authority (‘LEA’).
  • Greater freedom to allow the academy to deliver a curriculum that addresses the needs of its pupils and to change the lengths of their terms and school days.
  • More flexibility in employing new teachers and other staff on different terms and conditions of employment to those in the LEA.
  • The academy would take responsibility for the functions and services currently provided by the LEA – such as insurance, admissions etc.
  • As more schools convert to academy status the LEA may become a substantially reduced force.  

What is involved in conversion to academy status?

It is important to realise that there is a lot to do in taking the process from an expression of interest to the Department for Education (‘DfE’) through to the actual conversion to academy status. The sooner formal steps can be commenced and then momentum built up and maintained, the more likely it is that the target will be achieved. A minimum of two months should be allowed between the date of the Secretary of State's formal approval of an application and the conversion date. This does not include the time spent in consulting unions, staff, parents etc which should probably commence as soon as a decision in principle to apply for academy status has been made.

Schools can either convert individually (if they qualify) or with others.  Some long and short term influences on single or multi conversion can be summarised as follows:

  • A single convertor must be at least good with outstanding features (Ofsted report) but less highly rated schools can convert with higher rated ones.
  • Some form of multi conversion – particularly for groups of small schools – has the great advantage of being able to provide mutual support between schools and ‘buy in’ services in a more cost effective way.
  • Each converting school obtains a £25,000 grant from DfE to go towards conversion costs.  If these are pooled then they obviously go much further.  Even if a number of schools convert together but form separate academies if each uses the same constitutional pattern and other formation documentation then the overall legal costs will still be significantly less than would be the case if each converted completely separately using separate advisors. 

What we do

Legal process of conversion to academy status 

We will work closely with you from the outset, giving you all the necessary information for you to make the key decisions about converting to an academy. We will then handle the legal process which needs to be put into place. For further information about converting to an academy contact Christopher Wacher on 01227 763939.

Employment and HR Support for academies 

We provide practical employment advice and HR support throughout the process of conversion to an academy and post conversion support once the academy is set up.  Further information about HR support and employment advice contact Andrew Masters, Head of Employment, on 01227 763939.


 

Quick contact

Furley Page Solicitors in Kent, London, Canterbury, Chatham & Whitstable
Get in touch on 0845 603 10 57