The new government is expected to give all ‘outstanding’ schools the automatic right to become an academy.
Many schools rated highly by Ofsted are already planning to take up the offer quickly, with the first schools due to become academies by this September. Academies are independent of local authorities and can employ their own staff and set their own admissions policy.
For successful schools, these freedoms are likely to be appealing. The policy is also very attractive for the new government in light of reduced public spending. Under Labour, schools gained autonomy by becoming an academy, but the scheme typically included new buildings and capital assets, such as ICT. However, by allowing existing schools to become academies, the government can ensure that many successful head teachers get the independence they say they want without the need for expensive capital investment.
Posted by Mark Blois
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mblois@brownejacobson.com