Chris Twigg Westminster Briefing 23rd June 2011 - London

Contents

1. Different types of Academy

2. Progress on convertor schools

3. The governments approach to the academy programme

4. The policy implications for local authorities

5. Lessons learnt for LA’s and schools

Different types of Academies

Sponsored Academies Convertor Schools Free Schools

Relevant legislation

School phase and type

School performance

Revenue funding

Capital funding

Existing/ New Schools?

Numbers

Education Act 2003Academies Act 2010

Secondary

State funded independent schools that receive an equivalent level of funding to neighbouring community schools

Underperforming schools

Outstanding + Good with O/S features

Not applicable – New and Independent Only

Secondary, Primary and Special + Free School AP

Significant capital investment based on

building condition

Basic Need and Maintenance via LA

+ additional £80m fund in 11/12

Funded directly from central government

Existing SchoolsNew and

Independent Schools

274 open1244 applications430 conversions

22 approved to pre-opening8 funding agreements signed

Academies Act 2010Education Bill 2011

© Becoming an Academy Limited June 2011

Out

stan

ding

sch

ools

Academy Convertor Schools – Implementation progress

1000

500

Non

- O

utst

and

ing

scho

ols

Sep

ConversionsExpressions of interest Applications

Jun Jul Aug Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Projected numbers

400

300

200

100

900

800

700

600

1100

Jun JulMay

1400

1300

1200

1500

1700

1600

1800

DfE guidance documents

June 2010 June 2011

BaA website visitors

June 2010 June 2011

17 12800

The Government’s approach to the academy programme

Ofsted / Performance (5A*-C GCSE)

Inadequate Satisfactory Good Outstanding (Good with o/s)

0-35%

36%-40%

41%-50%

51%+

Sponsored Academies by 2015 (35% of schools)Sponsored Academies by 2015 (35% of schools)

The Government’s approach to the academy programmeSecondary Schools

Sponsored AcademiesSponsored Academies

Sponsored by 2012/13 (21% of schools)Sponsored by 2012/13 (21% of schools)ConvertorSchools

ConvertorSchools

Academy conversion through collaborative partnership

Academy conversion through collaborative partnership

It appears therefore that the only schools that may be unable to become academies are those that are inadequate...............

with over 50% A* to C GCSE’s

The policy implications for local authorities

The Levers

Basic need•BSF cut•Significant growth in demand for primary and secondary places•Static basic need funding•Falling revenue funding restricting borrowing capability

LA’s – Organisational Falling revenue fundingCommissioner/ provider Target Operating Model

Maintenance•BSF cut•Pressure on capital from basic need; statutory obligation…..•Growing maintenance liability

Existing provision•Historical provision imbalances in the Special and PRU estate

How do you feel about becoming an academy?

Social objectives in one sentence!To help and support schools to become better clients

How will we do it?As a social enterprise we reinvest the majority of our operating profits into achieving our social objectives

What we provide•Individual schools – Free access to a register of the most experienced advisors in the education sector

•For groups of schools – A one-stop shop service of legal, financial, HR with a project management wrap-around. The procurement of replacement services

•For LA’s – Preparing the LA for the transfer of assets and contracts, involvement in the TUPE process and approach to providing services to the new academies.

Contacts at today’s conference:•Chris Twigg•Stephen Smith

About uswww.becominganacademy.org

Key overall issues

Pensions issues – LGPS. Understanding impact, actuarial assessment

LA Services - and third party contracts. Assess and request position early. Negotiate!

Insurance – secure best value?

Employment risks and capital costs

Financial reporting and obligations – development of staff

Premises responsibility: Gap Analysis

Considerations and overcoming barriers

Funding     Expertise – Extend scope of financial reporting    Engage early with the LA re: financial closedown   

Avoid cash flow difficulties. Plan beyond conversion

Considerations and overcoming barriers

Commercial Transfer Agreement     Land Transfer – Lease, building works/ caretakers house/rights of way and access ·        

TUPE Transfer of Staff. LA statutory requirement to consult. Be aware of the LAs position ·        

Assets/ SLAs/Third Party Contracts