Protocol for ICT in Multi-Sponsor Academies: This ICT protocol allows eligible multi-sponsors to seek a generic opt-out from some or all of the LA BSF ICT systems, if they meet certain criteria. Such opt-outs will normally only be considered for multi-sponsors who have at least five academies either open or in the pipeline, in addition to their meeting other criteria. Download ICT in Multi-Sponsor Academies document (Word 43 KB)
Sponsorship Guide: Establishing an Academy
The Sponsorship Guide to establishing an academy provides sponsors with a high-level view of the key phases of establishing an academy, their key responsibilities and the partners they will be working with in each of the phases. Sponsor's Guide to Establishing an Academy (Word 121 KB)
This includes models of key documents such as the Expression of Interest and Funding Agreement, along with a range of policy documents to support the running of Academy.
The Model Funding Agreement for Academies, which includes all the relevant annexes, as well as the Memorandum and Articles of Association can be downloaded below
Copies of individual signed Funding Agreements can be viewed via the Department's Freedom of Information site on http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/foischeme/ by putting the word 'academies' in the search box.
DCSF Guidance for Academies regarding Charity Law and Company Law matters
Academies are constituted as charitable companies limited by guarantee and as such they must comply with Company Law as set out in the Companies Act 1985 (and subsequent Acts) and with Charity Law and the requirements of the Charity Commission and its Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities, as revised in March 2005.
This document explains the regulatory framework for Academies, the conditions for Charity Registration and the responsibilities of directors. Download document (Word 97 KB)
Protocol on the Ofsted Inspection of academies
Academies are inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) on the same basis as other state-funded schools. The attached document is the latest version of the Protocol on the Ofsted Inspection of academies and outlines procedures for Ofsted and DCSF to follow in communicating about inspection of academies and academy predecessor schools. The main change is in the final paragraph which considers how new additional primary provision will be inspected. Transfer form is also attached.
The Academy Principals' Handbook - written by the DCSF in conjunction with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) as a resource for Academy Principals. To download click on the links below.
Introduction (Word 48 KB) Section 1 - Support available (Word 40 KB) Section 2 - The Funding Agreement - a quick guide (Word 80 KB) Section 3 - Finance (Word 100 KB) Section 4 - Curriculum and assessment requirements (Word 68 KB) Section 5 - CRB and safeguarding (Word 76 KB) Section 6 - Information for governors and the governors' pool (Word 64 KB) Section 7 - Academies and their communities (Word 188 KB) Section 8 - Admissions (Word 76 KB) Section 9 - Inspection arrangements (Word 36 KB) Section 10 - Teaching staff in Academies (Word 48 KB) Section 11 - Buildings (Word 40 KB) Section 12 - Academies Guidance on Racist Incidents (Word 79 KB) Annex 1 - Academies funding for services (Word 64 KB) Annex 2 - Duties towards children with disabilities (Word 52 KB) Comments (Word 32 KB)
The Working in an Academy guide seeks to answer teachers and support staff's questions on contractual, pay and conditions and other employment issues. The advice applies both to employees who are transferring to an Academy, and those who are being directly recruited.
Click here for the document, "Working in an Academy, a guide". (PDF 217 KB)
Chapter 14 of the document "Working in an Academy, a guide", was amended on December 5, 2005. Click here for the amendments (Word 27KB) which should replace chapter 14 of the guide.
To access a pdf (488 KB) version of the new Academies Prospectus which outlines the main aspects of the Academies Programme, please click here.
The new Prospectus is aimed at new sponsors as well as Local Authorities and provides information on how Academies are helping to raise expectations and transform education.
This is a prospectus to encourage successful independent fee-paying schools in England to play a greater role in creating a world class educational system for all children and young people.
It sets out the case for sponsoring or supporting an academy. It also sets out how a successful independent day school might itself become an academy in order to broaden its intake and spread educational opportunity to all local children where there is a need for more high quality school places.
Academies, Trusts and Higher Education: prospectus
On July 10, 2007 the Secretary of State announced that universities and high performing schools and colleges becoming sponsors of academies will no longer be required to provide a financial contribution before they can sponsor an Academy. Many universities and colleges have already engaged in the Academies programme, and the Government wishes all universities to consider sponsoring an Academy.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families together with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills have produced a prospectus, Academies, Trust and Higher Education, for universities wishing to take part in the programme.
Opportunities for schools, sixth–form and FE Colleges prospectus
Education is at the heart of the Government's agenda. From it stems the key elements of a well-developed modern society, such as economic strength and social cohesion. We are committed to giving every young person the skills and confidence to develop to their full potential and contribute fully to society.
The first Annual Report from the Evaluation of the Academies Programme was produced in November 2003. It provides an overview of the research activities undertaken in the first year of the evaluation, as well as a preliminary overview of baseline data relating to Academy predecessor schools. The document ensures that there is a robust intellectual and methodological basis for the evaluation. The annexes include a review of the technical literature relating to value added in education and a review of international literature on school improvement and educational innovations.
The Academies Evaluation first Annual Report (PDF 388 KB) and Annexes (PDF 7 MB) can be downloaded here.
PricewaterhouseCoopers is currently undertaking a longitudinal evaluation of the Academies Programme that will report at the end of 2007. The aim of the Evaluation is to inform the policy direction for Academies as part of the overall strategy of diversity in education. It seeks to discover which elements of the Programme are most effective, the cost of the elements and their sustainability in the long term.
The Second Annual Report analyses the first round of fieldwork undertaken in spring 2004 in 11 Academies and 3 predecessor schools. It also outlines the results from the ongoing statistical analysis of the performance of the first three Academies. The Report is a positive endorsement of the direction in which Academies are moving showing that that they are especially popular with parents and pupils. Academies have started to raise aspirations in previously underperforming school.
Click here for the Academies Evaluation Second Annual Report (pdf 400KB) This should be read in conjunction with the Department's response (DfES reference number 1571-2005DOC-EN)
Department for Education and Skills' Response to the Second Annual Report
The DfES has commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to undertake a five-year longitudinal evaluation of the Academies Programme reporting finally at the end of 2007. The Second Annual Report from the evaluation (DfES reference number 1550-2005DOC-EN) analyses the fieldwork undertaken in 11 Academies and 3 predecessor schools in spring 2004. The Department’s response to the Report contains a foreword from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who welcomes PwC's findings, in particular that Academies are popular with parents and pupils and that they have changed the teaching and learning culture from predecessor schools. It also sets out the context of the Academies Programme, before moving on to give a detailed response to PwC's findings, including how the Department intends to take the Report's recommendations forward.
Click here for the DfES Response to the Second Annual Report from the Academies Evaluation (pdf 580KB)
The Department for Education and Skills' Response to the Third Annual Report
The DfES's response to the Third PwC Report on Academies, including a foreward from the Secretary of State and a summary of the report's findings. Click here. (pdf 231KB) Reference number 1-84478-790-7.
Independent evaluation of bids from potential sponsors of Durham academies
On 18 February 2008, the Department published an independent report evaluating bids from potential sponsors of Academies in Durham. The report was commissioned jointly by the Department and Durham County Council, and was conducted by Maurice Smith, the former Chief Inspector of Schools.
Schools Minister, Andrew Adonis said:
"The independent report by Maurice Smith, former Chief Inspector of Schools in England, offers a good basis for discussion between the Government and Durham County Council on academy proposals in the county."
On 26 July 2007, the Government released the report of Maurice Smith's independent review of the Isle of Sheppey Academy proposals. It can be downloaded below, together with an exchange of letters between Ministers and Kent County Council (KCC) setting out the way forward:
