Academies
Overview
Academies are educational institutions that provide both primary and secondary education. They are publicly funded but operate independently of the local authority. Academies have the freedom to determine their own policies on things like the curriculum, school hours, term dates and staff pay. This autonomy is intended to give academies the flexibility to innovate and raise standards. Academy schools were first established in the UK in 2000 under the Learning and Skills Act.
History
The concept of academies has its roots in the Academy founded by Plato in ancient Greece. The term "academy" has since been used to refer to a variety of educational institutions throughout history. In the modern context, academies are most commonly associated with the education reforms in the United Kingdom that began in the early 21st century.
Types of Academies
There are several types of academies, including converter academies, sponsored academies, free schools, university technical colleges (UTCs) and studio schools. Each type of academy has its own specific focus and remit, but all operate outside of local authority control.
Converter Academies
Converter academies are successful schools that have chosen to convert to academy status. They have the freedom to innovate and can opt out of the national curriculum.
Sponsored Academies
Sponsored academies are typically underperforming schools that have been taken over by a sponsor. The sponsor can be a business, a university, a faith group, a charitable trust or another school.
Free Schools
Free schools are a type of academy that are set up by groups of parents, teachers, charities, businesses or universities. They have the same legal status as academies and the same freedoms, including the ability to set their own curriculum.
University Technical Colleges (UTCs)
UTCs are a type of academy for 14 to 19 year olds. They specialise in technical studies and are sponsored by a university and local employers.
Studio Schools
Studio schools are a type of academy for 14 to 19 year olds. They have a similar remit to UTCs, but with a focus on practical skills and work experience.
Governance
Academies are run by academy trusts, which are charitable companies limited by guarantee. The trust is responsible for the strategic direction of the academy, and it appoints the academy's governors. The governors are responsible for the day-to-day running of the academy, including setting its strategic direction, managing its budget and appointing staff.
Funding
Academies receive their funding directly from the Department for Education, bypassing the local authority. This is intended to give academies greater financial autonomy. The funding is based on a formula that takes into account factors such as the number of pupils and the area in which the academy is located.
Curriculum
Academies have the freedom to set their own curriculum, but they must teach a broad and balanced curriculum. In practice, most academies choose to follow the national curriculum to some extent. However, they have the flexibility to innovate and can choose to focus on particular subjects or areas of learning.
Performance
The performance of academies is measured in the same way as other schools, through Ofsted inspections and exam results. However, there is ongoing debate about whether academies improve educational outcomes. Some studies suggest that academies raise standards, particularly in disadvantaged areas, while others argue that the evidence is mixed.
Criticisms
Critics of academies argue that they lead to a lack of accountability and transparency, as they operate outside of local authority control. There are also concerns about the financial management of academies, with some academy trusts being accused of financial mismanagement.
See Also
