Academies are publicly funded independent schools, free from local authority and national government control. Other freedoms include setting their own pay and conditions for staff, freedoms concerning the delivery of the curriculum, and the ability to change the length of their terms and school days.
The Academies Act 2010 made it possible for any school - primary, secondary or special - to become an academy.
Until now only schools which Ofsted judged Outstanding or Good with Outstanding features have been allowed to apply to convert in their own right. Other schools have had to apply to convert in their own right. Other schools have had to apply as part of wider chains, working with strong schools.
However, the Government announced on 7 April 2011 that they will consider applications from any school, including special schools that can make a compelling case for Academy status (e.g. that are performing well).
- Academies are still part of the community. They serve children and families in a particular area and they retain the same responsibilities as any maintained school as part of the learning community. Governors are advised to consider how they ensure their institution is seen as part of the community, whatever decision they make.
- The headteacher still needs to work in partnership with the governing body on strategic matters
- Academies are still subject to the law on employment, equality, admissions, special educational needs
- Academies are required to follow the same rules over pupil exclusion as maintained schools
- Academies need to operate a complaints policy in the same way as any maintained school
- Academies are still subject to Ofsted inspection
- Academies are still subject to Freedom of Information
For more information please visit the Department for Education website under ‘Related links’
The following schools have converted to Academy status:
|
School |
|
New Name |
|
Conversion date |
| Outwood Grange School |
|
Outwood Grange Academy |
|
1 September 2009 |
| Wakefield City High School |
|
Wakefield City Academy |
|
1 January 2011 |
| Ossett School |
|
Ossett Academy & Sixth Form College |
|
1 February 2011 |
| Airedale High School |
|
Airedale Academy |
|
1 April 2011 |
| Castleford High School |
|
Castleford Academy |
|
1 April 2011 |
| Jerry Clay Lane J&I School |
|
Jerry Clay Academy |
|
1 August 2011 |
| Crofton High School |
|
Crofton Academy |
|
1 August 2011 |
| Minsthorpe Community College |
|
Minsthorpe Community College |
|
1 August 2011 |
| Outwood Rooks Nest J&I School |
|
Rooks Nest Academy |
|
1 September 2011 |
| The Freeston Business and Enterprise College |
|
The Freeston Academy |
|
1 November 2011 |
| Gawthorpe Community Primary School |
|
Gawthorpe Academy |
|
1 November 2011 |
| South Ossett Infants School |
|
South Ossett Infants' Academy |
|
1 December 2011 |
| Cathedral School |
|
Cathedral Academy |
|
1 January 2012 |
| Knottingley High School & Sports College |
|
De Lacy Academy |
|
1 April 2012 |
| Horbury Bridge CE (VC) J&I School |
|
Horbury Bridge CE (VC) J&I Academy |
|
1 April 2012 |
Council Officers are supporting the Governing Bodies of the following schools that have also started the Academy conversion process:
The Vale J&I School
St James CE(VC) J&I School
Simpson's Lane J&I School
Ferrybridge Roundhill Primary School
St Wilfrid's RC Catholic School & Sixth form college
St Thomas à Becket Catholic College
St Ignatius Catholic (VA) Primary School
St John The Baptist Catholic (VA) Primary School
Sacred Heart Catholic (VA) Primary School
St Joseph's Catholic (VA) Primary School (Castleford)
St Joseph's Catholic (VA) Primary School (Pontefract)
Horbury School
Further updates will be given as details are confirmed.
