Academies

Since the Academies Act 2010, good or outstanding schools have been given the opportunity to convert to academy status. This could be as a Single Academy Trust (SAT) or Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). In every case the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), along with the Site Trustees, has to give its consent for any academy conversion. The DBE has supported schools converting into Academy Trusts over the years, following the Church of England’s national policy of church schools converting into Academy Trusts on papers that reflect the Church foundation of its schools. Governance at the Member, Board and local governance levels is to reflect the status of the school joining the Academy Trust; for example Voluntary Aided (VA) schools joining Academy Trusts with majority DBE governance; Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools joining Academy Trusts with either majority DBE governance or governance with at least 25% representation. The DBE has recently updated its strategy for schools converting and it is important that schools look at this before having discussions about the possibility of converting to academy status. Detailed guidance is also offered which explains the rationale of the Board but also answers a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that are regularly raised about academy status, to help aid discussion.